SOLAS Marks International Women's Day with Inspirational Event

SOLAS/05.03.2026

This week, SOLAS marked International Women's Day's ‘Give to Gain’ theme by highlighting the opportunities that Further Education and Training (FET) offers learners through an internal staff event.

Opening the event, Noreen Fitzpatrick, Director of Communications (Acting) at SOLAS, shared the importance of also recognising and valuing small acts of kindness we can offer each other.

"The impact that FET has had and even in the last, I would say 10 years, we're in a completely different place. FET is now a first choice." Nessa White, Interim CEO at SOLAS shared in conversation with Katie O'Rourke, Communications Manager at SOLAS reflecting on both the transformative and far-reaching impact of FET on people and society as a whole, as well as the value in showing up for one another in the workplace.

While acknowledging the significant growth in FET participation, Nessa stressed the importance of stories, lived experience, and small human interactions in creating long-term change, the “Giving to Gain” through small moments, and illustrated the impact of leadership through everyday acts of care, encouragement, and taking time to notice when someone is struggling. “Sometimes the gain that you get from giving, from those small interactions”

In looking forward to the next FET strategy that will shape the sector over the next five years, Alan McGrath, Director of System Performance at SOLAS outlined the vision - “We want to have an accessible FET system that gives opportunity” and spoke about FET as an enabler of opportunity, and the ambition of the next FET strategy to drive accessible pathways for learners to realise their full potential.
 
We came away with powerful insights from our inspiring FET learners, who shared their stories with our SOLAS Communications colleague, Mary Saunders.
 
"I think it's important for me to be able to use my experience to be able to offer what I've been sharing and posting." Tracey Nakawooya – a graduate of the Business and Finance PLC at Rathmines College, Tracey shared her discovery of finding the right fit for her through an apprenticeship at AXA. She has gone on to inspire others to follow in her footsteps into apprenticeships through her social media presence.
 
“I give to gain every day because I share my story…if  somebody is struggling, you want to be here for them because people have been there for me.” Yasmine Barr, FET Learner and Soilse Representative spoke powerfully about her learning pathway through FET after school, describing her work with Soilse on the ‘A day in a Life’ documentary as a turning point “They’ve helped me find my voice… my voice matters” and the huge impact she has every day in sharing her story. Soilse are finalists in the AONTAS STAR awards.
 
"I love learning and I don’t sit still." Kieran Clifford, Owner and Head Baker of Fatbaby Bakes spoke about the big leap she took to change her career later in life and redefine herself completely through a baking traineeship with Kildare and Wicklow ETB, which led to her setting up and running her own successful bakery.
 
Maria Walshe, Executive Director of Support (Acting) at SOLAS closed our event reflecting on the importance of the day in coming together as an organisation by “investing people, creating time and space for each other, giving encouragement and support.”
 
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and joined us for an inspiring morning that will stay with us for years to come.