Support for women to get on at work

£5 million is to be invested in attracting women into five career sectors where they are currently underrepresented.

The Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative is to receive the funding over the next three years. The initiative works with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) to introduce women into new career pathways.

£5 million is to be invested in attracting women into five career sectors where they are currently underrepresented.

The Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative is to receive the funding over the next three years. The initiative works with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) to introduce women into new career pathways.

Skills Minister, David Lammy, who announced the increased investment, said: “Gender should be no barrier to a successful career. It’s essential we provide extra support where it can do most good to help women overcome any barriers to recruitment or progression at work. The employer-led Sector Skills Councils understand their different sectors and so are best-placed to work with other similar employers to unlock all the talents in their workforce.”

The initiative works to improve career opportunities for women in sectors and occupations where there are specific skills shortages and skills gaps. This includes areas as diverse as construction, automobile retail and agriculture.

There are currently nine projects run by SSCs, the five most successful of these will keep going. They will aim to help 5,000 women every year, 8,000 have already received help since 2006.

The projects will be run by ConstructionSkills, Lantra (environmental and land-based industries), Skillfast-UK (apparel, footwear and textiles), Asset Skills (property services, housing and cleaning services) and Automotive Skills.These SSCs will be encouraged to suggest new ideas and projects which address the needs of women within their sector.

Sir Michael Latham, chairman of ConstructionSkills, said: “Women and Work has given us the opportunity to invest in a wide range of entry and progression routes for women in the industry. We have worked with employers to provide health and safety and technical training, professional development and mentoring support for graduates.I am delighted that the programme has been extended as it will allow us to continue building on these positive outcomes.”

The Women in Work Sector Pathways Initiative was announced in March 2006, as part of a range of measures to address employment issues for women following the Women and Work Commission’s report of February 2006.

Marie Kemplay