Unlocking the potential of single parents
Padlock is an online platform connecting businesses with cybersecurity expertise, powered by the free training of single parents in marketable cyber skills. For its founder, Eoin Heffernan, it’s an opportunity to create social change in a sustainable way.
Eoin has focused his efforts on addressing gender equality and a skills gap with the creation of free, industry-focussed training for people looking for employment. Now he’s part of our inc. programme and looking to help 57 people into employment during that time.
As we deal with the effects of COVID-19, cybersecurity is now one of the fastest growing sectors, but it still suffers from the second worst skills gap in the world, and with most of the positions held by men, an inequality in diversity of thought.
For Eoin, it’s an opportunity to upskill women who have previously found it difficult to find work because of their parenting responsibilities. Padlock will provide them with the training and skills they need to enter or return to the workplace.
In 2018, Padlock was selected as one of seven pilots by the UK government to address the skills shortage in cybersecurity. Now they are one of our ten social businesses chosen to be part of our social incubator, inc. and on a journey to unlock the potential of Eoin’s dream and benefit our communities.
“inc. has provided us with actionable insights into the development of Padlock through expert-led workshops, market-leading mentoring and a vast community of bespoke support that has accelerated our progress as a social business. We are so happy to part of the programme and amongst such an inspiring cohort of social entrepreneurs.”
You can find out more about Padlock and inc. here.
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