Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, is subsidising 90 per cent of the costs for women to complete an introductory certificate in management from the Chartered Management Institute as part of a drive to help boost the number of female managers in food and drink manufacturing. Proving to be a popular move, so far more than 100 women employees have claimed the cut-price training.
Improve’s subsidy means that for an employer contribution of £50 per employee, each person on the course will receive £500 worth of training. The scheme is open to women working at all levels in food and drink manufacturing in England, especially those hoping to make their first move into a management role. The certificate takes 30 hours of guided learning comprising a two-day workshop, completion of a written assignment and a work-based project. The workshop can also be delivered at a company premises if more than 12 women from that company are on the course.
“Women make up just 23 per cent of managers in the food and drink sector, so they’re hugely under-represented,” said Paula Widdowson, commercial director at Improve. “Until September this year, we have funding for another 400 women to take advantage of the scheme. I’d urge any interested companies to get in touch as soon as possible, as places are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. By next spring we hope to have helped 500 people complete the management certificate, which will go some way to boosting the number of women managers in the sector.
“The course is ideal for women with no previous management experience, who will gain the skills and knowledge needed to take on more senior positions, helping to further their career development. However, it will also be beneficial for women already in management roles, who will learn new techniques that they can apply to their day-to-day jobs.”
Three managers from award-winning chutney and preserve maker Kitchen Garden Foods, including joint managing director Barbara Moinet, have decided to take advantage of the subsidised training.
Barbara Moinet said: “Despite founding and running the business, I actually have no formal management training. It will be useful for me to study management theory, as my experience will allow me to relate the course content to real-life business practice.”
Improve is one of 25 sector skills councils established by the government to take the lead in driving up skills in the workplace in order to promote higher productivity and stronger competitiveness for UK businesses in the global market.
No comments yet