As part of a drive to tackle this longstanding diversity issue, Cogent is rolling out the Employer Investment Fund Women and Work Initiative.

This fund is aimed at supporting employers and women within the sector by encouraging them to seek development opportunities as part of a strategy aimed at raising the profile of women in the sector.

To encourage women to consider the opportunities for development that the sector offers, employers are able to access funding which they need to match in equal amounts.  This provides an opportunity for employers to consider diversification of their workforce at a tiem when skills are at a premium

Employers are encouraged to review the skills development needs of their business and where there is a skills gap or a career progression opportunity identified among female staff, individuals may be eligible for a £600 grant for their development.

This grant supports any skills intervention that will add value to the company bottom line and promotes the development of women in the workforce.

The only stipulation is that a company must contribute 50% or more to the total costs of the project (both to the provision and via learner or mentor time).

Over 100 female employees have already been through the programme.

Success stories:

• Amber Hamson
• Helen Curtis
• Chloe Agg
• Danielle Tatterson
  

Example training courses undertaken include:

• Chemical Engineering for Scientists
• Lean Six Sigma
• Award for Nuclear Industry Awareness      
• Prince 2 Certification
• Negotiation Skills
• Assertiveness at work
• Finance for Non-Financial Managers
• Injection Moulding

Employers can select a course from those above, or a programme that best suits individual and business needs.