Cash for women runs dry
August 28th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
CAR dealers have until the end of September to claim their share of the £10m Government ‘Women and Work’ cash pot.
The scheme was set up to encourage more women into male-dominated professions.
The car industry certainly qualifies; just one in five workers are female, even though nearly half of customers are women.
Training group Autavis is thus urging car dealers to look into ‘cost neutral’ training as soon as possible – places remain on its various schemes, so long as workers are registered before the end of September.
All car dealers have to do is ensure females have a personal development plan, comprising of the individual courses they want to attend.
It won’t cost them any money, either. It’s ‘match-funded’ – businesses must equal the amount invested by the Government… but this is not necessarily cash. Time allowed for training counts, too.
Autavis MD Nick Wright warned that ‘the end of September is the final registration date. There won’t be an extension, so we invite interested businesses to get in touch as soon as possible.
‘Many hundreds of businesses, and a few thousand women, in our sector have really benefited from the ‘Women and Work’ initiative, but time is running out fast for the last remaining vacancies.’
Hartwell Ford has already put 200 women through the scheme. Hartwell Ford Kidlington general manager, Yvonne Cubbage, reckons there are ‘tremendous opportunities for women within our sector.
‘I got involved in this project as it stimulates learning, and I would really encourage businesses to take advantage of the financial support.’
Her boss, Kevin Godfrey, said there was no hesitation from management. ‘Hartwell is keen to recruit and retain women in all areas of our business.
‘The ‘Women and Work’ initiative has certainly helped us provide skills development opportunities for female employees within the group.’
ATA dealer technician landmark
Tags: autavis, government, hartwell ford, training
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