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The Women’s Work Lab is a community interest company which supports women in the south west back into work after extended career breaks and to kickstart careers. The first training programme of its kind in the UK, the course helps to build women’s confidence through teaching new skills and providing a supportive peer group.
The 12-week programme is open to women who are out of work and in receipt of Universal Credit. It combines face to face expert training with a formal work placement at a respected local employer. The women then receive six months’ support from a mentor, and ongoing career coaching from the Women’s Work Lab. All training and work placements take place in term-time and during school hours.
The graduation ceremony of this second cohort of the programme in North Somerset took place at Clevedon Town Council’s offices on Friday 16 December.
Training for the third cohort will start on Thursday 27 April at The Campus in Weston-super-Mare. Sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday mornings from 10am to 1pm.
Women interested in signing up to the Weston-based programme should visit www.womensworklab.co.uk or contact Paige Josham by calling 07464 015 762 or emailing paige@womensworklab.co.uk.
The Women’s Work Lab would also like to hear from North Somerset businesses interested in hosting a mum on placement. This would involve providing experience of an entry-level role for 15 hours a week, during school hours, for four weeks in June 2023. Typically, the shift pattern would be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9.30am and 2.30pm. Often employers offer rotating placements so mums can find out about different career opportunities within their organisation.
Mum of three Yasotha Rajacholan, aged 41 from Claverham, has been offered a role after a successful work placement. Yasotha is now working as a learning mentor for Elmtree Learning Partnership, part of the Weston-based Elementa group of educational companies.
About the programme, Yasotha said: “I’ve grown in confidence so much over the last few months. Every single session with the Women’s Work Lab was so helpful and I learned a great deal about myself. The placement was the perfect opportunity to learn the ropes. I feel valued again and I’m thrilled with my new job. The programme has totally changed my life.”
Sarah Morrison, Managing Director of Elementa, said: “Again we have been impressed with the Women's Work Lab. It is a fantastic programme that supports participants to recognise and believe in their strengths, while giving them the opportunity to show employers their abilities. We’re proud to work with them and having Yas join us is an extra Christmas present! We knew within the first week of placement that it was highly likely we'd want to keep her – she’s a fantastic addition to the team.”
Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for lifelong learning, said: “I’m delighted that the Women's Work Lab project is going from strength to strength in North Somerset. It’s a truly worthwhile initiative, helping to break down barriers that many women experience when returning to the workplace after having children.
“I was so pleased to be able to attend the graduation ceremony on Friday and personally congratulate everyone who successfully completed the course.
“I encourage eligible women to apply to the next cohort in Weston. I also hope to see more businesses registering to provide work experience opportunities.”
Following the success of the programme in Bristol and Bath, the scheme is supported by North Somerset Council thanks to Flexible Support Funding through the Department of Work and Pensions.
30 North Somerset women have now graduated from the course in North Somerset. The first Weston scheme was recently featured in BBC One’s ‘We Are England’ programme. Watch on BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001fjwb/we-are-england-family-westonsupermums.