Women Can 'Do The Business' Says Ruane

More women should be starting their own business, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane, attended the 'Impact of Education on Women's Entrepreneurship' conference yesterday in the Holiday Inn, Belfast and said: "Women entrepreneurs tend to start a business that is related to their educational background and work experience.

"This means there are few women entrepreneurs in the 'STEM sectors'. These sectors have high growth potential and can benefit greatly from the untapped resource of women in business," she said.

"Women have so much to offer the business world and can bring a fresh and original approach to the industry.

"Not only do we need to encourage more women to go into business, but we also need to equip them with the skills, knowledge and support to grow and expand their enterprises."

The Minister continued: "If we empower girls from a young age at the early stages of their education, we can give them the confidence and ability to enter and, more importantly, succeed in the business arena.

"The revised curriculum and entitlement framework offer our young people a wider range of subjects and gives them as many opportunities as possible so they may go into the working world with everything they need to thrive," she said, noting that, in conjunction with Department for Employment and Learning, she has initiated a review of STEM subjects in schools and Further Education colleges.

"The outcomes of the review, expected shortly, will consider progression routes to higher education and employment, including the links to the skills and innovation needs of the wider economy," the Minister concluded.

(BMcC)