National recognition for THRIVE initiative at Dundalk IT

The THRIVE programme which is based in DkIT’s Regional Development Centre (RDC) has been awarded the National Winner for Promoting Entrepreneurial Spirit for the European Enterprise Promotion Awards which will take place in Bilboa, Spain this November. 

Lavina McGahon, THRIVE Manager Said:

“We are honoured to have won the national level of these awards and to be representing Ireland on the European stage. This programme which has already had such a phenomenal impact on the careers and lives of former participants, has been a privilege to work on.

"It’s been an amazing experience watching each one of these talented women grow in confidence, capabilities, and connections as they’ve progressed through the programme”.

The THRIVE Programme from the RDC at DkIT is in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, AIB, Local Enterprise Offices in Louth, Cavan, Monaghan and Spxfix. The Initiative has been introduced to support women launch their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) based careers and businesses, which is currently one of the fastest growing sectors in Ireland and Europe.

Whilst this programme has been designed to facilitate women who are bringing new products and services to market in the STEM sector, it also supports women in management in other sectors, or work returners, to pivot their existing skills and experience to progress to enter management and leadership positions.

This award-winning programme is based around 3 key pillars of capability, connection and confidence and the initiative inherently nurtures these three core attributes in all its participants. 

Kate Kinch, Technical Specialist, WuXi said:

“I went into the THRIVE programme as just a graduate and finished with a new confidence, new abilities, and a new set of skills. It was a really good foundation for starting my career after graduation”.

Aoife McKeown decided to participate in the programme because she wished to change career and explore the idea of becoming a graphic designer, said:

“This course helped me discover I was far more capable than I gave myself credit for, and that I had a lot more skills in my tool belt than I thought I did, it gave me the confidence I needed for a career change”.

Denise O’Connor, Director, Enerview Solutions had worked for 15 years in a non-STEM related Industry said:

“Participation in this programme enabled me to bring my previous business skillsets into a very technical industry with capability and confidence”.

Pauline Clarke, Owner, Kookee, said:

“THRIVE for women is a bridging gap for women to support their move into the technology sector on a level playing field with all their male counterparts”.

To learn more about this programme which will run again this October 2023 or to apply to become one of the next cohort of participants click here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuvu929FpPRTPqvzZNAcqP6PgZDmMRQm7DV-rYhcOET0bq0w/viewform