AAI’s ‘Back To Work’ programme is…back! Tailored support for women returners
From December 2022 to March 2023, AAI EmployAbility will run ‘Back to Work’, an online programme to support minority ethnic women to return to the workforce after a career break.
This initiative is open to minority ethnic women in Scotland to access tailored employment support, with resources delivered through online events, one-to-one coaching and digital training.
Over the past 5 years, AAI has focussed hard on working with women who face various unique barriers to employment, despite their talent and qualifications.
Unfortunately, applications for this round of AAI’s Back to Work programme have closed. We’ll be back soon!
Benefits of participating
– Understand the current job market
– Access tailored support relevant to your experience and goals
– Build confidence as part of a supportive network of women
– Access on-demand training resources and certifications
– Engage and network with forward-thinking employers
– Understand modern job-seeking techniques including LinkedIn
– Build or update a professional, modern CV, reviewed by experts
You will have the opportunity to apply for job placements with participating employers.
Eligibility
– You are a woman and over 25 years of age
– You currently live in Scotland
– You are from a minority ethnic background
– You have been unemployed for the last 6 months
The Women Returners Programme is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Skills Development Scotland.
Get a flavour of the Back to Work project by viewing this short video:
Context:
Evidence suggests that many women struggle to return to work after a career break due to factors such as a lack of access to flexible working to support care commitments, lack of confidence due to lack of up-to-date work experience and lack of relevant skills.
As a result, they can find their job choices limited to lower-paid, part-time work and can experience pay inequality, underemployment, job insecurity, and a lack of opportunities for development and career progression.
Over the last 5 years, AAI EmployAbility has worked with this talented, yet underrepresented demographic, supporting them with their various and unique barriers to employment despite their motivation, experience and qualifications.
The programme aims to support women returners across Scotland who have had a career break due to childcare, other care or health commitments. It has a particular focus on supporting minority ethnic women who experience multiple barriers to employment.
It will address the ‘motherhood penalty’, a key driver of the gender pay gap and will respond to EHRC research findings on pregnancy and maternity discrimination which revealed that 77% of women reported a negative or discriminatory pregnancy/maternity experience. The gap increases as a women ages, from a woman’s child-bearing and child-rearing years, right up to women aged over 50 who often experience disadvantage and discrimination when transitioning through menopause.
