A multi-million pound project that is helping women all over Wales climb the career ladder, is being visited by the Minister for Business and Budget, Jane Hutt AM.
A group of 11 women who are improving their skills by completing a Level 3 Ascent course in first line management, are being met by the Minister at the Tredomen Gateway Centre, in Ystrad Mynach.
The course is just one of many training schemes offered through Chwarae Teg’s Agile Nation project, which promotes gender equality in employment and helps women to advance their careers.
The £12.5m project is jointly financed by the ESF (European Social Fund) and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Agile Nation aims to tackle the difficulties faced by women in the workplace.
By providing training and mentoring, some 2,800 women in the Valleys regions of the Convergence area will receive the support they need to achieve higher skilled and higher paid employment opportunities.
This covers 15 local authorities in West Wales and the Valleys region, including Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, and Torfaen.
Agile Nation also works with over 600 employers on training, equality and diversity issues, both raising awareness of the benefits of flexible working, as well as educating employers about work-life balance issues.
The Minister met women on the final part of their six-day interactive line management course, which enables them to develop management know-how and improve skills in areas like communication, problem solving, and time management, leading to a recognised award from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
Speaking to the course participants about their experiences, she said:
“It’s wonderful to hear such positive feedback about the success of Agile Nation from some of the women who are directly benefiting from its training and support.
“The women I met today have been improving their line management skills, which will help them to succeed in fulfilling their potential. The course is giving these women a huge step up in confidence, providing them with opportunities they otherwise may not have had to achieve success at work, to manage their work-life balance and better support their families.
“Providing those extra skills and confidence is vital to ensure that Wales has the workforce it needs to emerge stronger from the recession.
“It’s important that employers’ needs are not ignored as we look towards a more gender-equal workforce. Agile Nation is working hard to ensure employers receive the support they need to help reduce segregation in the labour market, and offer flexible working solutions to women that are practical and effective.”
Those gaining the Level 3 Ascent Line Management award will be able to progress to further qualifications, including NVQ’s and other higher education awards.
