Women and Work

What is Women & Work?

Women and Work is now in its third phase, following the success of the past two phases.The scheme is designed to encourage employers like you to take advantage of the opportunity to receive funding towards the cost of developing the skills of women in our industry and for the good of your business. Less than 20% of the retail motor industry’s workforce is female. The sector needs to develop a more diverse workforce which will improve the industry as a whole.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has put in place this flexible programme for employers to take advantage of this opportunity.

How employers benefit

Applicable to women working in England, Women & Work offers:

• Funding

£800 towards the development of existing women employees, at all levels, including management and leadership.

The IMI is alo piloting an 'At Risk of Redundancy Package' for women who are at risk or in notice of redundancy.

• Improved staff development and loyalty

Giving female employees the opportunity to progress in their careers and exercise their management potential.

• 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 currently reflected in the workforce. A male dominated business is restricting its potential.

To qualify

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 find out how easy it is to get Women & Work helping your business.

To download forms please use the following links:
Document Guidance
Individual Training Plan (ITP)
Registration Template (Expression of Interest)
Declaration Form

Step 1

Contact Sue Short at the IMI on 01992 511521 or email susans@motor.org.uk to find out more about the Women & Work initiative or to arrange for an IMI representative to visit.

Step 2 

Complete an ‘Expression of Interest’ form and return it to Sue at susans@motor.org.uk, or directly to the IMI at The IMI, Fanshaws, Brickendon, Hertford SG13 8PQ.

Identify eligible participants in your workplace, as well as potential providers and/or sources of training development activities.

We will work alongside you to complete all the documents required to apply for co-funding, which cover:

• Employer Registration
• Participant Details and Declaration Form
• Development Planning
• Training Plan & Evaluation*

* At this stage you will need to send an invoice to us, along with your completed evaluation document, and name of participant, to cover the costs of their training (up to a maximum of £800 per participant).


N.B. All training must be completed and invoices received by 30 March, 2010.