Press Refresh: 5 Week Career Reboot Programme

Free Career Reboot Programme

Thursday 1 February 2024

Press Refresh: 5 Week Career Reboot Programme

A free part-time programme supporting women to confidently re-enter the workforce has issued a last call for applicants ahead of its latest cohort commencing in February 2024.

Press Refresh Career Reboot, a five-week training course funded by the Department for the Economy and Northern Ireland Office #SkillUp programme, delivered in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College and Women in Business, supports women returners to enhance their CVs, improve interview skills, and gain an ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management.

It is open to women currently not in paid work, as well as those working up to 16 hours per week due to caring responsibilities, and those who wish to pivot in their careers but are unsure where to start.
Applications for the programme’s 4th intake close on 26th January.

Welcoming women returners to the 2024 cohort of Career Reboot, Denise Black, Director of Centre of Learning, said: “Since launching in 2020, almost 150 women have enrolled in Press Refresh giving them the confidence and to re-enter the workforce with renewed confidence. In that time, we have seen talented women graduate and ultimately earn roles in a variety of organisations, including Version 1, PwC and Citi.

“Through our ongoing collaboration with Belfast Met we are helping to unlock a unique talent pool of women keen to reboot their careers and, in so doing, provide a valuable contribution to the local economy. I warmly encourage anyone to put themselves forward for this latest cohort where you will meet other incredible women and discover a career pathway that works for you.”

Press Refresh launched in 2020 with a 16-week Data Analytics course and has to date received more than 600 applications. A second programme, entitled Career Reboot, was introduced in 2022 to meet increasing demand.
Louise Warde Hunter, Principal and Chief Executive at Belfast Met, added: “Economic development and social inclusion are at the heart of Belfast Met’s purpose. We have a long history of delivering vocational skills and employment solutions across the City Region to meet industry’s current and future needs. Support from the Skill Up programme has allowed us to deliver meaningful solutions like Press Refresh, focusing on diversifying and widening participation in the workforce, vital for the growth of the Northern Ireland economy. We are delighted to offer this exciting opportunity once again for women returners to receive formal training and gain the confidence to re-enter the workforce.”

The ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management is delivered by Belfast Met, while Centre of Learning delivers the CV and interview skills to Career Reboot participants.

Pamela Hamilton, a recent Press Refresh graduate, spoke highly of her time on the programme: “The course not only helped me identify the strong skills that I have, but also those I’ve taken for granted because I do them on autopilot. Press Refresh also opened the door to so many jobs where my transferrable skills and years of experience make me a strong candidate.

“I cannot rate this programme highly enough. The support was superb, down to earth and practical, they gave me back my sense of value and worth, thank you. The network and energy within the group was amazing, many new friendships have been made and successes shared. There are exciting times ahead. Press Refresh, thank you.”

The 4th intake of Press Refresh Career Reboot will commence on 20th February. More information on Press Refresh Career Reboot, including details of how to apply ahead of the 26th January deadline, can be found at www.pressrefresh.co.uk/career-reboot-programme/