A new training progamme has been established in Belfast that hopes to entice women into professions that continue to be male dominated.

The organisation, WOMEN'STEC, has created Trading Places Citywide, designed to increase the number of women employed by the construction industry.

WOMEN'STEC, TEC standing for Training, Enterprise and Childcare, does not set out to replicate other available courses.

Rather, it aims to update women's skills so they are ready to enter the relevant colleges.

It is said that just three per cent of women are working in construction at craft level in Northern Ireland.

Anne McVicker, chief executive at WOMEN'STEC, commented: "This is a great opportunity, not only for these women, but for the construction industry as a whole.

"There is currently a serious skills shortage and this programme gives the green light to women who haven't previously been offered these career options."


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