Virtual skills course is gateway to workplace return for women
A free skills programme for women aims to give them the skills and confidence they need to re-enter the workplace.
The five week ‘Women Returners’ course is hosted by Virtual Internships, supported by Telford & Wrekin Council and sponsored by property developer Morris Property.
It targets women over 19 and is a fully-funded employability and personal development programme.
Virtual Internships give people the opportunity to discover remote work experience opportunities and new career paths and upskill with award-wining professional development programmes.
There are 20 places up for grabs on the course which starts remotely on Monday 24 April.
Simon Wellman, Telford & Wrekin Council’s director for education and skills, said: “Many women take a break from employment for lots of different reasons but are keen to return to work.
“We are delighted that we are able to support this course which is being hosted by Virtual Internships and sponsored by Morris Property.
“This short programme can give women the skills and confidence they need to get their careers back on track or start out on a completely new career pathway.
“It’s a remote course which means learners can complete the course in the comfort of their own home without the need to travel.”
Telford & Wrekin Council’s Job Box Service offers a range of support for people of all ages – including careers advice, support with CV writing and interviews and communication skills and has a team of dedicated careers advisors.
If you’re interested in signing up for the Women Returners programme, please book a chat with Telford & Wrekin Council’s National Careers Service Advisor, Rosie Gibney, on 01952 381061 and she will help you with your application.
Founded in 2018, Virtual Internships focuses on four key areas which include creating opportunities to support career growth and enhancing employability, preparing employees for the ‘future of work’, creating talent pipelines and access to jobs worldwide and reducing cultural barriers and widening participation and opportunities for underserved communities.
Eduard Sava, Partnerships Account Manager at Virtual Internships, said: "At Virtual Internships we recognise that women are struggling to return to work, particularly post-pandemic and are excited to bring this programme to the Telford area in partnership with Morris Property and Telford & Wrekin Council.
“Part of our programme's core aims are to reduce barriers, widen participation, and provide opportunities for underserved communities and create opportunities for supporting career growth and enhancing employability.
“We took the lessons we have learned from student internships and from the previous Women Returners Programmes we ran in Scotland, and we intend to apply them to the barriers that women experience in returning to work in the Telford area.
“Through the remote world, we have the great opportunity of helping our participants to gain and develop new and essential skills from the comfort of their own homes.
“Our programme has a very flexible approach and we are working hard to ensure that we accommodate women from any background.
“We are looking forward to assisting women to recognise their own talents and skills, help to showcase them to employers and offer them the confidence they need to return to the workplace.
“As part of our mission, we are hoping that lives will be changed, not just employment gained. I am truly proud to work on this programme and encourage women to soar, especially in a remote and innovative setting."
Morris Property is a Shropshire-based commercial property developer which has 100 years’ experience building, restoring and leasing commercial developments and is sponsoring this programme as part of its social value commitment.
Steve Flavell, Morris Property Construction Manager, said: “We’re excited to fund this programme for women in Telford.
“It’s vital we work together to open doors for women of all ages helping us connect, support local talent and build a sustainable and diverse workforce.”
If you are interested, please book a chat with Telford & Wrekin Council’s National Careers Service Advisor, Rosie Gibney, on 01952 381061 and she will help you with your application.
