Making Work Work for Women Returners

Are you a woman or do you identify as a woman? Are you looking to return to work after a career break and seeking to make work with all the other commitments and enjoyment of life?

Making Work Work – for Women Returners is the Challenges Group award- nominated women returners programme. We are delighted that The Challenges Group, in partnership with Chartered Management Institute and new partners Volunteering Matters and Get The Gen, has successfully won funding to support even more women in 2021/22 to make work work.

The programme seeks women looking to step back into the workplace and who face difficulties in finding work that fits with all the commitments and fun of life following a career break (e.g. for maternity, caring, health issues / disability, redundancy, relocation or other reasons). We are looking for women and those who identify as women who have management experience or aspirations from across Scotland to take part in a peer-led management skills refresher programme which will facilitate the confidence and networks which are essential to finding work which is commensurate with their skills, ambitions and potential. Participants also get support with their job search, personal development and designing their (work)life blend.

Women on the programme will:

  • Boost their work-related skills in management andleadership
  • Build confidence in their skills and abilities
  • Expand their networks to support them through their job search and beyond
  • Craft their CVs and interview skills for success
  • Understand the ins and outs of flexible, remote and hybrid working
  • Develop strategies for their job search and (work)life blend
  • Have the opportunity to attend informative networking events
  • Find a peer group of supportive women and facilitators which lasts much longer than the training programme

Making Work Work – for Women Returners was piloted early in 2021 with a success rate of over 80% of pilot participants of the first cohort being employed or having started their own business within 6 months of finishing the training programme. They joined an alumni network of support and exchange and are now advocating for flexible working and (work)life blends that accommodate any working individual’s needs and non-work-related responsibilities.

We particularly welcome applications from women and those who identify as women in disadvantaged groups who face multiple barriers to meaningful employment including those who identify as women from the trans community.

If you are ready to make work work for you, click on the buttons below to learn more and apply!

Application Deadline: Tuesday 14th December, 2021 at midnight

If you have any questions, or any issues with the deadline, please email us: womenreturners@thechallengesgroup.com or attend our information event.

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