The James Kane Foundation has announced its latest round of funding, supporting a diverse range of projects designed to inspire young people, develop skills, and create meaningful pathways into education, training, and employment across Northern Ireland.
This year’s awards and donations, which amount to half a million pounds of investment, reflect the Foundation’s continued commitment to advancing STEM education, tackling educational disadvantage, and equipping young people with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce.
Among the organisations awarded is:
Access Employment Ltd, whose Transitions Plus programme will expand opportunities for early intervention with young people. The project introduces participants to live workplace environments while supporting the development of vocational skills and qualifications, helping them make informed decisions about their future pathways.
All About Us has received support for its Y.E.L.L (Youth Empowerment, Learning and Leadership) programme, which focuses on helping young people—particularly those with additional needs—progress from connection to confidence and independence, opening pathways into education, training and employment.
The Greenpower Education Trust will deliver Blueprints for Brilliance, an ambitious initiative engaging primary school pupils across Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon. Through designing, building and racing single-seat electric cars, young participants will gain hands-on engineering experience, develop problem-solving skills, and be introduced to future STEM careers.
The Integrated Education Fund has been awarded funding for the Lincoln Awards, a bursary programme supporting disadvantaged students from integrated schools who have secured places in higher education. The funding will enable the programme to expand, supporting more young people at a critical stage in their educational journey.
Larne High School will use the funding to create a CAD Club by purchasing state-of-the-art equipment which will give pupils valuable opportunities to develop modern technological and engineering skills, while also helping raise the profile of these important subject areas across the school.
At Lurgan Junior High School, the Think Code Create project will introduce primary pupils to programming, electronics and game design through hands-on workshops, helping to build early interest and confidence in computer science.
North Down Scouts, in partnership with Bangor Foodhub and Community Support, will deliver Hands on Futures, creating practical opportunities for young people to develop skills, explore career options, and build confidence for the future.
South Eastern Regional College (SERC) will roll out its We Can Engineer It initiative across every primary school in the South Eastern region, providing training, resources and access to STEM ambassadors to inspire the next generation of engineers and address inequalities in access to engineering careers.
At St Malachy’s High School, funding will support a project focused on connecting pupils with real-world careers through partnerships with leading industry organisations, helping to build skills, confidence and career insight.
St Mary’s College, Derry, will establish the James Kane STEM Innovation Hub, recognising the school’s ambition to collaborate with other schools, industry and external partners to enhance STEM learning and outreach.
Finally, Stranmillis University College will deliver a project aimed at bridging the gap between education and workforce needs, empowering both educators and learners with the knowledge, skills and insights required to thrive in a changing world.
Commenting on the latest awards, Michael Wilson, Chair of The James Kane Foundation, said:
“As the demands of the future workforce continue to evolve, it is vital that we invest in education and skills today. Through this latest round of funding, we are supporting projects that not only inspire interest in STEM, but also provide meaningful pathways into careers. Further to that, our focus on addressing educational disadvantage also ensures that these opportunities reach those who need them most, helping more young people across Northern Ireland realise their potential and contribute to a thriving, innovative economy.”
This latest round of funding highlights the Foundation’s strategic focus on supporting innovative, impactful projects that empower young people and strengthen Northern Ireland’s future workforce.