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Government initiative is a sweetener to training for women

By TJ (13-09-2007)
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Learning and Development News - Government initiative is a sweetener to training for women

More than 60 food and drink manufacturing companies are leading a drive to boost the number of women managers in the sector, by claiming cut-price training through a government initiative designed to get more women into male-dominated industries.
 
Companies including Tate & Lyle, Northern Foods and Young's Seafish have claimed funding from Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, to subsidise 90 per cent of the course costs for women workers to complete a certificate in management from the Chartered Management Institute. Improve secured the funding through the national Women & Work initiative, in a bid to redress the gender imbalance in food and drink manufacturing, where women make up just 23 per cent of managers.
 
Diane Winship, business support manager at Tate & Lyle, is mid-way through the course. The course takes 30 hours of guided learning, comprising a two-day workshop, which Diane has already completed, a written assignment and a work-based project. The workshop was held off-site and covered subjects such as development planning, internal communication and motivational skills.  
 
Paula Widdowson, commercial director at Improve, said: "There is still some funding left for this opportunity, so any interested employers should contact Improve as soon as possible," she said.
 
"By equipping women with relevant skills and knowledge, this course will allow them to take on more senior roles. Not only will that benefit employees – helping to increase earning potential and advance career development – it will also help employers. Improve's research has shown there to be a looming skills shortage at managerial level, so boosting the skills of the existing workforce will help employers deal with that  by promoting internally."
 
The scheme is open to women employees in England at any position or level. Improve's subsidy means that for an employer contribution of just £50 per employee, each person on the course will receive £500-worth of training. For further information visit www.improveltd.co.uk, or call 0845 644 0448.

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