POSITIVE ACTION FOR WOMEN IN NORTHERN IRELAND Available to Purchase

An Innovatory Action Research Project was initiated in 1987 at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, to address the problem of women′s under‐representation in key areas, including management and new technology. A new course for women, integrating personal and professional development, was designed and validated by the University of Ulster. Twenty‐five unemployed women were selected each year to attend this one‐year training project, which was evaluated with respect to the following criteria – effectiveness in relation to employment, self‐employment or continuing education; in developing leadership skills; in developing competence in information technology;entrance criteria as predictors of success on the course and in subsequent employment; employers′ views on the course and on potential employment of women; effects of participation on relationships within the family; barriers to learning for women. The outcome was positive. Additional EC funding ensured the continuation of the course for another three years, now in transnational partnership with other European programmes and this year introducing a specialism in telematics. The hybrid managers have arrived – and some are women!