Blackburne House, formerly the Women’s Technology and Education Centre (WTEC), was established in 1983 with the aim of progressing women from disadvantaged backgrounds into employment within technical professions. In 1991 the WTEC moved into a Grade II listed building in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter
Since opening Blackburne House has supported tens of thousands of women to achieve great things within their chosen professions and who have made a positive impact on the economy of the City of Liverpool and beyond.
Blackburne House educates and enhances the skills and opportunities of women so they can pursue professions that are non-traditional or where women are underrepresented. It offers a safe environment in which women are provided with the skills to live financially independent lives that have a positive generational effect on their families and communities.
Blackburne House provides a variety of services that remove barriers to education. It runs a variety of courses and training programmes for women from all walks of life ranging from construction and civil engineering to teacher training and IT. It aims to tackle the gender inequality which is still rife within many industries and many of its courses are in subjects traditionally considered to be male-dominated.
Blackburne House also runs a portfolio of well-being and environmental projects alongside a range of award-winning social enterprises that support its educational mission. These include a nursery, a bistro, a health spa and a conferencing and events facility. Blackburne House is also home to the School for Social Entrepreneurs North West which delivers courses and support programmes for social entrepreneurs in the region.
All profits made are used to support educational and economic opportunities for women from across Liverpool and the wider area.
Blackburn House lay empty until 1994 when the Women’s Technology and Education Centre commissioned its conversion into a training and resource centre. It website is www.blackburnehouse.co.uk.