New Sponsored Place Available on Leadership Programme for Aspiring Women

Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure) wants more professional women in the East of England to progress into leadership roles so the firm has teamed up with Christina Youell at People & Performance Ltd to run a great development programme for senior women.

Many women face barriers which prevent their career progression. Tackling such obstacles can be very challenging, and by participating in our innovativeWomen’s Leadership Programme(WLP), women can receive essential development and support, specifically designed for women.

Sponsored place

Additional support for women is available thanks to a 50%-funded place on WLP. Sponsored by the Blossom Charity, which helps women build their confidence and skills, the place is on the next course in Cambridgeshire taking place in two parts in June and September. Women from SMEs, start ups, not for profit or charities can apply for the place, and other non-funded places are also available (see below for more details).

“This is the third time I have sponsored a place on the Women’s Leadership Programme,” says Bridget McIntyre, Founder of the Blossom Charity. “As a business woman myself I aim to help other women develop the confidence to go for senior roles, while remaining true to who they are and managing a positive work-life balance. I am very much looking forward to meeting the delegate on the next course in June.”

Mentoring helps breakdown barriers

WLP provides women with the opportunity to explore their own leadership style, build a future career plan, and develop the confidence to deliver it, and ultimately increase their chances of performing at senior executive level in the future.

“What makes WLP unique and so effective is the opportunity for delegates to work with sponsors from their own organisations,” explains Christina Youell, WLP Co-founder and Director of People & Performance. “This approach means that, together, they can identify and tackle obstacles at work that could prevent women reaching executive or board level.”

Lynn Morgan, CEO of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity previously sponsored a delegate on a recent programme . She remarks: “The Women’s Leadership Programme has been of tremendous value to Donna Talbot, who has been promoted to Director of Fundraising and Marketing at the charity. It was clear that Donna was a very capable and a natural leader, but I have been delighted with the way that the programme has given her the time and opportunity to explore issues around leadership and personal development with other very bright young women. The facilitation on the programme has been first rate and I believe the participants have benefited significantly by being involved.”

Immensely rewarding

Started in 2014, the programme is already having an impact. Over the last year, 24 women have completed the course, with some going on to secure directorships.

Katrina Gardiner, Senior Policy Officer at Suffolk County Council, is one of those graduates. She says: “I just wanted to say how rewarding I have found the course and how grateful I am that I have had this opportunity to develop as a leader and contribute to the development of the other women on the course. It has been immensely rewarding all-round.”

Women’s development can help increase salaries

Women’s leadership development is also essential in helping women secure the same salaries as their male counterparts, and there is still plenty of scope for improvement.

According to recent statistics taken fromCompare My Salary, the UK’s only live salary comparison website, men in the East of England earn an average of £46,900 – that is £14,600 more than women. In addition, on average, more men than women are unhappy with their current salary, and they expect an average of an additional £8,200 in a new job, whereas women only expect an additional £5,100. This would suggest that as well as there being fewer women in senior-level jobs, they also have lower expectations when it comes to their earning potential.

How to apply

If you would like to tackle such obstacles on your own career path, register for the programme taking place on June 24thand 25that Tuddenham Mill and September 15thand 16that Paddocks House

To apply for the sponsored place, simply email a copy of your CV with a brief overview of how you and your organisation would benefit from WLP to:[email protected].

The deadline for applications and registrations is Monday April 20th.

For further information, call Pure on 01223 209888 or email[email protected].