New “Retail Ready” programme to train hundreds in Ballymena with £170K support from Gallaher Trust

Back row, from left, Matt Robinson, Volunteer Coordinator at ReStore Ballymena, Greg McKinley, Director of Operations at The Gallaher Trust and James Perry MBE, a Trustee of The Gallaher Trust. Pictured at the foreground is Isobel Kerr, ReStore Ballymena Manager.  

The Gallaher Trust has announced a £170,000 commitment over the next three years to support Habitat for Humanity Ireland’s new Retail Ready at ReStore initiative in Ballymena — a project designed to equip local people with vital retail skills and employment opportunities.

Following the success of the previous Building Impact project, which ran for almost four years, Habitat for Humanity Ireland has launched Retail Ready at ReStore Ballymena to help participants gain the skills and confidence needed to secure and sustain jobs in retail.

The three-week programme combines classroom-based and practical, hands-on learning, offering Open College Network (OCN) accredited training to enhance employability and workplace readiness.

By June 2028, Habitat aims to engage 450 ReStore volunteers, provide accredited training for 225 individuals, and help at least 45 people secure employment.

Earlier this year, the Building Impact project concluded with impressive results — 365 volunteers engaged, 217 individuals trained, and 49 securing employment, 88% of whom remained in work for at least six months.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with The Gallaher Trust once again as we turn our attention to our new Retail Ready programme which we are excited to deliver in ReStore and in our recently completed mezzanine with new training facilities at ReStore Ballymena,” said Jenny Williams, Chief Executive at Habitat for Humanity Ireland.

ReStore Ballymena Manager Isobel Kerr highlighted how the new programme builds on previous success:

“The success of our previous Building Impact project demonstrated the real difference that skills-based training can make in terms of the confidence and knowledge necessary to secure employment. Retail Ready aims to deepen the impact, equipping participants with the skills needed to work in retail and get tailored support to be interview ready.

“We are building strong partnerships with local companies that will work with us to provide a pathway to employment for people of all backgrounds and abilities.

“We are thankful for our continued partnership with The Gallaher Trust, which will enable us to support more local people into employment over the next three years.

“The success of the OCN-accredited training in Ballymena has allowed us to scale the model to ReStores throughout Northern Ireland, meaning that we can support even more people into sustainable employment.”

Established in 2017, The Gallaher Trust has already committed over £3.1 million to local initiatives promoting job creation, skills development and support for disadvantaged adults.

Trustee James Perry MBE said the decision to back Habitat for Humanity again reflects the shared mission to empower local people through opportunity.

“Habitat for Humanity shares our ethos of empowering individuals through opportunity, which is why we were so keen to partner with them again, coupled with the success they achieved through the Building Impact project.

“We know that skills-based training can be hugely beneficial for both individuals and the wider business economy, especially during a time when many sectors are struggling to recruit skilled staff.

“By supporting the Retail Ready at ReStore project, we’re helping to ensure that even more people across Ballymena can gain the qualifications, confidence and experience they need to secure meaningful employment.”

The first cohort of six participants successfully completed the Retail Ready programme at the end of September.

For more information or to apply for future intakes, visit habitatireland.org/blog/retailready.

Further details on The Gallaher Trust’s work can be found at thegallahertrust.org.