If so, the Back2businesship programme, founded by SMG and f1 recruitment ltd and conducted in partnership with Golin, is seeking applicants for its third returner programme – exclusively for career returners who have over a decade of experience in marketing, media and communications and over 3 years out of the workplace raising a family. Last year the success of the programme led to representation at the Gender Pay Gap discussions with a House of Commons Select Committee and already action has been taken to encourage more employers to open opportunities to returners looking for more flexible working hours.
This free programme includes modules on Career Planning, Presentation skills, Changes and progress in the World of Work you left behind including digital and social media, how to attack the jobs market and apply for roles and how to manage your first 90 days back in the workplace. There will be a range of coaching and training sessions led by industry professionals as well as case studies and presentations by inspirational women who have returned to the workplace successfully after a career break raising a family. We are aiming to have paid placements for delegates from January 2017 to help bridge the way back to work.
Still wondering how you could benefit from the course? Take a look at some of the feedback from previous year’s participants.
“I found the Back to Business program an invaluable experience to kick start my personal motivation and to rebuild my confidence to return to work. I networked with some fantastic woman in similar situations and gained some excellent insight and learnings from brilliant speakers and the team that ran the course.” Cath Frusher, Partnership Manager at Channel Mum Ltd.
“The Back2Businessship programme showed me that flexible working is achievable, can be a step up in my career and gave me many ideas of what I could do next. I’m now using my PR and networking skills in my new role as the Alumnae Manager at a school three days a week. Best of all, I found the job by contacting one of the speakers on last year’s programme!” Fiona Hurst, Alumnae Manager
“Following the course I kept up momentum by applying for roles straightaway, I won Golin’s 3-month paid returnship to work as marketing director. I was encouraged to negotiate my hours and chose to work four days with flexibility. Coming back to work after a break has been invigorating. I often describe myself as having senior level experience combined with a graduate’s enthusiasm!” Laura Weston, Marketing Director, Golin
“The back2businessship programme was a turning point in my growing ambition to return to work after a five year career break. In fact, as part of the publicity for the course, I appeared on Sky TV talking about the difficulties some mothers face finding senior part-time positions. A previous colleague, now CEO of a UK property company, saw this and approached me directly with an interesting and challenging brief for a communications project. Since completing this, I have found permanent part-time work – in no small part down to the impetus and support the back2businessship course gave me.”– Alexine Young, Back2Businessship Programme 2015
“I think it was a well thought through programme, delivered with lots of engagement and enthusiasm from all parties involved. It served us all as a platform to share our stories and concerns and gave a lots of valuable input for understanding the current world of work and the job market” – Claudia Deniers, Back2Businessship Programme 2015
“The Back2BusinessShip programme was paramount to revive my career in marketing communications. After a 4 year career break, my confidence was at rock bottom, I did not think I had the tools and the connections to find a new role. But the programme helped me greatly with confidence building by introducing me to women in similar situations with similar skills and by offering presentations and confidence building workshops. It was also very informative on social media and how the world of marketing has changed in the last few years. Following the programme, I decided that I wanted to work part-time and on a contract basis and subsequently secured a 6 month contract with Women Returners as Digital Media Expert, which was freelance, part-time and flexible” – Muriel Clark, Back2Businessship Programme 2015
“The Back2Businessship programme allowed me to think carefully about my options and be more proactive about contacting potential employers. The programme helped me focus on my strengths, and encouraged me to network at every opportunity.” – Jennie Walmsley, Back2Businessship Programme 2015
“The b2b programme gave me the much-needed motivation, inspiration and renewed purpose and energy in the form of camaraderie, new ideas to approach job hunting and speakers. It brought me up to speed on digital and social media, helped me spruce up my presentation skills. It helped me present myself in a more confident manner at interviews, esp about the career break. One of the biggest take-aways which I straight away started following was not to be apologetic about the break and instead focus on the positives. All of which led to a six month contract role.” – Meena Raju Back2Businessship Programme 2015
Interested? See our recent article for further details of the Programme.