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Taste 4 Skills and UCC congratulate 2022's Rejuvenate Graduates

24 May 2022

On Tuesday 24th May, female ‘returners’ who participated in UCC’s Rejuvenate Programme, designed to support women planning to return to the workforce following a career break, graduated at a very special ceremony held in UCC.

MINISTER SIMON HARRIS CONGRATULATES ‘REJUVENATORS’ AS THEY GRADUATE FROM UCC AND TASTE 4 SUCCESS SKILLNET’S RETURN TO WORK PROGRAMME

 

  • Day of celebration in UCC as five groups of women graduate from UCC’s award winning EDI programme - Rejuvenate
  • Taste 4 Success Skillnet, in conjunction with UCC, recognised the value of enabling women to return to their careers and developed this innovative and very popular programme to support them in their goal of re-joining the paid workforce
  • With a national skills shortage and a push for greater gender equality, attracting women back to work would appear to be an obvious part of the solution for employers looking to hire skilled, professional staff. Minister Harris said that My department and the Government are determined to learn from all of you, and to learn from all that you have achieved, to build on it and to ensure that we can extend your success to many others.”

On Tuesday, female ‘returners’ who participated in UCC’s Rejuvenate Programme, designed to support women planning to return to the workforce following a career break, graduated at a very special ceremony held in UCC.

 

Fully funded by Taste 4 Success Skillnet and delivered by UCC’s Dr Joanne Uí Chrualaoich and Caroline Seacy M.A., this innovative bespoke programme supports Ireland’s business, social, and economic growth by helping to maximize female workforce participation.  

 

A total of 95 women have completed this inspiring course since 2019. Due to restrictions imposed by Covid, the Graduation Ceremony was the first time the women had met in person and the energy and warmth in the room was palpable!

 

Minister Simon Harris congratulated the returners via video saying; “Today is a day of celebration, to celebrate you and all that you have achieved. What is unique about the Rejuvenate Programme is that women’s needs are placed at the core of its design, offering an innovative, tailored, learning and development programme. It’s inspiring to hear that over 75% of the first three Rejuvenate groups have now progressed to employment, and that 30% are undertaking further education and training, and all are continuing their lifelong journey. My department and the Government are determined to learn from all of you, and to learn from all that you have achieved, to build on it and to ensure that we can extend your success to many others.”

 

Bridie Corrigan Matthews, Network Director, Taste 4 Success Skillnet, spoke at the ceremony and said; We are so proud of Rejuvenate, the women who are part of this wonderful programme, and our continued work with the team at the Food Industry Training Unit at UCC. The dedication of the team, and the enthusiasm of each participant, has helped to ensure the delivery of another outstanding programme; enabling professional women to rebuild their skills, their confidence and return to the workforce.

 

Through the interactive online facility, Rejuvenate has been able to reach out to every corner of Ireland and, during the two years of the pandemic, we have been able to bring together a vast array of excellent women from across Ireland, who have worked, networked and learnt together. We take this opportunity to wish everyone continued success and happiness, as they start their new careers, and/or take the next steps in their personal progression. We look forward to keeping in touch and hearing of your journey to your next successful destination.”

 

Dave Flynn, Director of Business Networks, Skillnet, Ireland, commented; The Rejuvenate Programme shines a light on the value of increased diversity in our workforce. The success of this industry-led programme, designed by Taste 4 Success Skillnet and the Food Industry Training Unit at UCC, which supports women returners to the workforce, tapped into a new group of potential employees - a group that brings diversity of perspective, a fresh pair of eyes and a wealth of experience. It offers participants a high progression level to employment and further education opportunities while organisations can access a new stream of talent to drive innovation and growth in the agri-food sector and beyond.”

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Unit

Comhionannas, Éagsúlacht agus Ionchuimsitheacht

South Lodge, College Road, University College, Cork, T12 RXA9

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