Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the objective for the Making work work – for Women Returners programme?

The objective of the Making work work – for Women Returners programme is to facilitate women who have had a to participate in the workplace with fulfilment and purpose, attaining leadership positions which will facilitate the dismantling of the barriers faced by their peers in their own workplaces and beyond.

2. What is the purpose of the programme?

We will empower women to unleash their experience, skills and potential and help them challenge the status quo to make work work.

3. What will the women get out of it? • online business and entrepreneurship skills refresher • an opportunity to participate in inspiring events, workshops and masterclasses • training and accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) syllabus and an opportunity to get certified at level 5 • mentoring to support their career aims and network development • bespoke, on-going support for their transition into the workplace from their peers, trainers, professional services and CMI

• exclusive access to content from the Brené Brown Dare to Lead™ programme • practical advice on CVs, interviews and processes.

4. How long will the programme run?

2 months (February and March 2021) of active online training alongside self-study, followed by on-going peer-support and networking opportunities.

5. Who are you targeting?

Women with at least 5 years’ management experience resident in Scotland and who have had a career break of at least 6 months and who find it hard to find work that fits with their career aspirations, skills and availability.

6. What do you mean by “career break”?

Participants should have been unable to continue on their previous career path for at least 6 months prior to starting this programme. A career break may be due to, for example, maternity, caring, illness, menopause or other factors, such as redundancy or even from work which did not support personal or family commitments. This does not necessarily mean that they have not been working at all. One of the aims of this programme is to help women address structural barriers to continuing on their career path at a level commensurate with their skills, experience and potential following a career break.

7. What is considered ‘management experience’?

Management experience can come in all different shapes and forms. When we say ‘5 years+ of management experience’ we mean across any and all sectors. This could look like management of people, resources, finances, events, projects, etc. It could be in the healthcare sector, the arts, the third sector, the private sector, and more. We want to attract a range of people bringing their best practice knowledge and enthusiasm to the programme.

8. How much time will participants have to dedicate?

Participants will be expected to commit 12-15 hours per week, which will be a combination of online learning, self-study and mentoring.

9. When will sessions take place?

Core sessions will take place between 10am-1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays from w/c 8th of Feb until w/c 29th of Mar. We appreciate that this may not be ideal for everyone, particularly given current uncertainty related to childcare, but we need to fix the times in everyone’s schedules. We can offer some flexibility in terms of the once we get going and establish everyone’s availability, but it will be impossible to suit everyone. Sessions will be wholly or partially recorded in the event that someone has to miss one. We know everyone is juggling, especially now, and we know that kids, pets, partners and delivery drivers are likely to interrupt the sessions.

10. What is expected of participants?

As the saying goes, participants will get out what they put in. This programme is designed as an interactive, participative learning experience which is peer-led. The value of the collective experience and skills in the “room” mean that participants will be able to teach and learn from each other more than any tutor can offer. Participants should show up committed and prepared to share as well as to put in work outside of the online sessions to advance their personal and and their transition towards meaningful work. We expect participants to attend 80% of core learning sessions and to complete self-study so as to maximise the opportunities offered by the programme and achieve the CMI accreditation on completion. Participants will be asked to agree a Code of Conduct ahead of commencing the programme so that expectations are clear on all sides. If you would like to take part in the programme, but the time commitment presents a challenge for you, please do get in touch to discuss it with us.

11.What sector/industry will the programme be focused?

We are taking a client-centred, cross-sectoral approach, giving women returners with leadership and high-earning potential the opportunity to refresh their skills, and boost their confidence, networks and agency to select for themselves which sector resonates with them. During the course of the programme, women will receive masterclasses from employers, role models and support agencies from the private, social enterprise and start-up sectors. They will also benefit from , mentoring and the networks of a number of experts, mentors, recruiters and career support advisors.

12.Will women get a certificate at the end of the placement?

Yes, CMI certificate, Level 5 qualification. And a participation certificate. We are also exploring options for accreditation through the Brené Brown Dare to Lead™ programme.

13. What’s next for women after completion of the programme?

During the course of the programme, the women will co-create a sustainable digital network to support their continued transition into work which works. This network will be hosted on an online platform (such as a Facebook or LinkedIn group or Teams?) and will provide access to content to support their search/business creation, the experts and mentors on the programme, and crucially, their networks. Programme partners will also be able to signpost participants to further support through their own programmes.

Furthermore, as CMI accredited leaders, the participants enjoy access to Management Direct throughout their studies, a content-rich hub with all the management and leadership support a manager needs, including videos, checklists and information on both the theoretical and practical sides of management.

14.Are there application fees I need to pay to take part?

No. This programme is funded by the Scottish Government for women who meet the eligibility criteria and therefore, there is no cost to participants.

15. What is the required English language ability?

This programme is designed for women planning a transition back to work at a managerial or leadership level. The level of English required for the programme is the same as for that kind of working environment. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer English language support with this cohort. However, this is something we could consider in future if there were sufficient interest, so please get in touch.

16. Can you accommodate women with disabilities?

If you are concerned that your disability may impede your participation on this programme, please get in touch so we can discuss it.

17. Who is running this programme?

This programme is delivered by the Challenges Group, the Talent Loom and the Chartered Management Institute in partnership with a number of local referral and delivery partners. It is funded by the Scottish Government Women Returners Fund.

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

Or see website: thechallengesgroup.com/makingworkwork/