International Women’s Day - free DIY training for Oldham residents

To celebrate International Women’s Day today (Friday), and to support the Inspire Inclusion campaign, the Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations, has been running a week of free DIY and home maintenance training for women at Oldham college. 

Taking place between March 4-8, the training has nine female participants who are unemployed or on a low income, and who wish to learn basic DIY and maintenance skills, such as joinery, tiling, and plumbing. 

Building on Guinness’s existing partnership with Oldham College, the college has donated the training space as part of their social value work.

Apprentices employed by Guinness who attend Oldham College for their training are supporting the programme, sharing their experiences and assisting with the practical tasks. 

The training is delivered by Frameworks Social Enterprise CIC and supported by partner organisations: Great Places Housing Group, Wates, Jewson Partnership Solutions and Smartworks, Manchester, along with Guinness - with all partners involved in coordinating and planning the programme, helping fund the course and providing guest speakers.

The cost of travel and childcare is covered for participants. 

As well as training, participants will receive mentoring, get support and guidance to help them get into work, and the chance to gain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). 

Saiqa, who attended the training course, said: “I am so grateful for the opportunity from Guinness to take part in this course.

"I've learnt new skills that I will be able to apply at home and I now have the confidence to try.

"It's given me more choices in life with career opportunities and it's so promising to hear of women working in predominantly male industries.

"The trainers and speakers are amazing, and I have learnt so much.

"My sisters were jealous!”

Eadaoin Kelly, Senior Community Partnership Manager at the Guinness Partnership, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Oldham residents to gain new practical skills, build confidence and develop new friendships as part of our DIY skills programme.

"This training course could not have happened without our fantastic partners, who have been instrumental in making this a success.

"We are hugely grateful of their support.”

Also, funded by the training partners and donated by Jewson Partnership Solutions, all attendees received a free toolbox - an amazing end-of-course gift. 

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