Women and Work

What is Women & Work?

A £10 million Government initiative for England, designed to encourage more women into the industry, following the success of phase 1, phase 2 is now up and running to enable those already in employment to develop the skills they need to operate effectively.

The Institute of the Motor Industry, has put in place a flexible programme for employers to take advantage of this opportunity. Women & Work runs until the end of February 2009 and the IMI is aiming to support over 900 women and their employers.

What’s in it for your business?

Applicable to women in England over the age of 16, Women & Work offers funding of:

• Up to £800 towards the development of new women recruits.

• Up to £800 towards the development of existing women employees, at all levels.

Less than 20% of the retail motor industry’s workforce are female. The sector needs to develop a more diverse workforce which can contribute a number of benefits to your business, including:

• Improved performance
Businesses with a diverse workforce are more likely to be innovative and creative, developing new and effective ways of increasing profitability.

• Improved recruitment and customer service
Over 40% of the retail motor industry’s customers are women but this is not reflected in the workforce.
A male dominated business is restricting its potential.

• Improved staff development and loyalty
Giving female employees the opportunity to progress their careers and exercise their management potential.

To qualify employers must:
• Ensure women registered on the programme have a personal development plan. This can include as many programmes, courses or development activities as an individual needs.

• Match the funding given, which could be in the time you give women to complete the development plan and in your support of the programme.

How to get involved
Just follow the steps below to get Women & Work helping your business!

To download forms please use the following links:
Document Guildance
Individual Training Plan (ITP)
Registration Template (Expression of Interest)
Sample Spreadsheet Match Funding

To download this information as a pdf click here.