Nicola Sturgeon announces project to help women return to work

Pregnant women at work - credit Fotolia

A project to help women return to the workplace after a career break is to be trialled in Scotland.

The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced she will pilot a ‘returners’ project to help women update their skills and knowledge after maternity leave.

The aim is help smooth the transition back into the workforce for both women and employers.

The First Minister made the announcement earlier this week as she opened Deloitte’s new Glasgow office, where she met women who have taken part in the company’s Working Parents Transitions Programme to help them back into work.

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She said: “Many women struggle to get back into work due to a lack of access to flexible working that allows them support care commitments.

“They can lose confidence and relevant skills after being out of the workforce especially in the science and technology sectors where technology has moved on at a rapid pace.”

“Every woman must get the best support to return to work and that is why we will pilot a Returners project, working with employers to get the right processes and training in place to help women back into work.”

Deloitte also signed the Scottish Business Pledge, making a commitment to good business practices including paying the Living Wage, workforce diversity and family-friendly workplace policies.

The Scottish Business Pledge has nine components: paying the living wage; not using exploitative zero hours contracts; supporting progressive workforce engagement; investing in youth; making progress on diversity and gender balance; pursuing international business opportunities; playing an active role in the community; commitment to prompt payment; and committing to an innovative programme.

Sturgeon said: “I am pleased that such a large business, with more than 530 employees in Scotland, has made this commitment, setting a good example to other firms of its kind around the country.

“Their pledge sits alongside more than 260 ambitious and innovative companies and is good for business and good for Scotland.”