Upskilling
This programme is resourced through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) which is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development & the Gaeltacht, and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021 -2027 www.eufunds.ie.
We are committed, under the SICAP Programme, to support local people in gaining industry recognised relevant skills to enable them to access job opportunities.
Beauty Techniques
Running a few years now, the Beauty Techniques course started as a one-day taster workshop to give community members a chance to explore salon skills such as nail tech and eyebrow design. It quickly became apparent that there was a strong demand for formal qualifications, but many people faced barriers such as limited resources and time for full-time study. So we put together a 6 week week Beauty Techniques Programme, designed to break down those barriers.
Delivered in partnership with Nail It Today Education, the course provided hands-on training in Gel Nail Technician, Eyebrow Design, Eyelash Extensions, and more. Thanks to the Training Support Grant (TSG) facilitated by DSP, participants were able to access this training at no cost.
Introduction to Barbering
In 2024 we launched an Introduction to Barbering course for people in the community, giving them a taster of a career in barbering – an emerging industry with increasing demand for skilled professionals. Due to overwhelming interest, three Introduction to Barbering courses were delivered, with hugely positive feedback from participants.
The hands-on training courses were designed to offer people a chance to explore barbering as a potential career in a supportive, skills-based environment. Participants learned practical techniques and gained insight into working in the industry, helping to build both their skills and confidence.
As part of the course, participants also visited Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE), which runs a one-year City & Guilds Level 5 Diploma in Barbering. They were given a tour of the facilities, offering them a valuable insight into what further training in the field could look like. The success of the courses has now opened new doors, with a number of participants progressing to the full Level 5 year-long barbering course at BIFE. This marks an exciting step for those seeking to build a long-term career in the barbering industry.
For information on future career-focused courses, please contact our Community Development & Inclusion Supports Lead, Jennifer Jones at jenniferjones@bnwap.ie or call (01) 286 8266