Women in non-traditional skills trading have attended the annual WOMEN'STEC awards which took place at Belfast City Hall.

In the past year, 140 students have participated in the Supporting People - Empowering Communities (SPEC) programme run in partnership with Clanmil Housing Group and part funded by the Northern Ireland European Social Fund and the Department of Employment and Learning with support from Belfast City Council.

Participants gained 115 qualifications in courses such as plumbing, joinery, painting and decorating, tiling, horticulture, information technology and first aid. The programme has received support from the construction industry and is being backed by Gilbert-Ash and JMC Mechanical and Construction Ltd.

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Lynn Carvill, Chief Executive of WOMEN'STEC, said: "It is with great pleasure that we recognise the hard work of our students. Many of these women have overcome considerable barriers to take part in our courses. With the shortage of skills and the under-representation of women in the construction sector - with an industry average of only 13.4% - our training programmes are invaluable.

"Through the SPEC programme, part funded by the Northern Ireland European Social Fund 2014-2020 – Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme, the Department of Employment and Learning, Belfast City Council and private sector organisations, Gilbert-Ash Construction Group and JMC Mechanical and Construction Ltd, training schemes for more than 500 participants who face difficult barriers to employment and training are to be created in the next three years thanks to our new programme."

(CD/MH)