Page 10 - link magazine

10 LOCAL LIVES
Women on the Move

Women represent 44% of the workforce and despite the recession, with an aging population, more women will be needed to work
in the future. Sheila McKenna from Shaw (pictured below) attended a women returners' conference
at the Shaw Ridge De Vere Hotel on 10 March to find out about the opportunities for getting a job.
I moved into West Swindon a year and without contacts. So when I to 10 week courses spread over sev-
ago from Essex, leaving behind saw the advertisement in the local eral months, perhaps only involv-
friends and contacts and my daugh- press entitled Women on the Move, ing I day per week attendance at the
ter who moved in another direction promoting a conference for Women College. There are a variety of
to college in Cambridge. Returners' wanting to move on and courses to suit different needs, hav-
Like many others this move was up the management ladder, you can ing a great deal of flexibility and
as a result of my husband's re-loca- imagine my immediate interest. with suitable hours, 930am to
tion with a large company. The The conference was opened by 330pm. Courses are made up of
move also meant I had to leave an Chris Simons Managing Director of distance learning and face to face
interesting and growing job. Fortu- Growth Through Training Ltd. and teaching, individual tutorials and
nately I was lucky and quickly es- a member the national organisation counselling. If you are to gain from
tablished myself in a new job with Women Returners' Network. She attending you must expect to apply
an American Computer Manufac- explained the conference ,sponsored commitment.
turer where I applied my Sales Sup- by the WiltshireTra ining and Enter- Irene Rimmer of Digital Equip-
port experience and increased my prise Council, was taking place dur- ment, an Education Consultant, ex-
knowledge for the industry, all very ing Adult Learning Week and Na- plained there are some prices to pay
rewarding. However the recession tional Women's Week, a very rel- and to take into consideration, for
was catching up and in February I evant date in the year's calendar. climbing the ladder of success. Its
along with 50% of the staff were The first two speakers were Carol all a matter of personal values.
made redundant. This in itself is Jackson, Placement Co-ordinator Manager, of Rede Products Ltd. There were, I discovered during
quite a blow to anyone but even from North Wessex Training Ltd. These two ladies both gave a very lunch, women from variety of back-
more so when one is in a new area and Lorna Marshall, Area Account interesting account of how they had grounds present. Some employed
participated in a Women in Man- in the voluntary sector, some unem-
agement Course and over a period ployed with excellent experience,
-N-
-.-' -,
PATRICIA --v' -• "- of 3 months blossomed from jobs some wishing to branch out in new
--,
where they felt unable to progress, directions and some with special-
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HULME Carol running her florist business ised skills working from home. All
from home and Lorna as a supply were keenly interested in thecourses
ENISE' teacher, to becoming 'full of beans' available.
Wordprocessing DRAPES and enthusiastic at their new stud- Summing up the days events Ruth
& Professionally made ies on IT, Database and Spreadsheet Michaels, President of the Women
applications using computers and Returners' Network said women
Secretarial Services FESTOON & developing assertiveness skills. represent 44% of the workforce,
AUSTRIAN BLINDS They gained motivation, career hardly a minority group, and she
Friendly personal advice and participated in project felt strongly that training had to be
For a fast, efficient and
service from work which took them into Swin- provided forwomen to advance and
confidential service guaranteed don companies. Both ladies illus- not remain restricted to traditional
• Letters • Mailshots • Reports measuring to hanging. trated that, although not always a roles. Wiltshire TEC provides good
Manuscripts • CV's Also made to smooth path, it is possible to juggle contacts with local employers and
• Theses • Dissertations measure curtains. the commitments of family and a the WRN influences theTEC in terms
Telephone
Call Pat on Swindon 722486 working life, especially when there of women's needs for training -
Swindon 770600 is the support of an organisation working together to develop new
such as the Women Returners' Net- opportunities.
work who promote education, train- My conclusion was that there is a
Architectural Designer ing and links with employers. lot of information and assistance
Carolyn Phi lii p po BAArCh
Jane Goodwin, Manager of the available to women. It was a very
Personal Service for all your Building Plans Women's Development Programme informative and interesting day
Local Authority Approvals at Westminster College, Oxford ex- shared by 80 other women who de-
Domestic Extensions & Alterations a Speciality plained in great detail the types of parted inspired as I was.
Period & Modern courses and qualifications available • Chris Simmons of the Womens
Independent Kitchen Design to 'Senior Women Returners'. Returners' Network can be con-

Swindon 616605 (Freshbrook) Enquiries welcome anytime Courses range from Day Seminars tacted on 611285.

Parents can now work with peace of mind,
The magnificent new knowing that their children are learning and
Jigsaw Day Nursery playing in a secure and caring environment.
Full-time and part-time places now available.
at For further information or to arrange a visit,

Windmill Hill please contact Ruth Forbes at
The Jigsaw Day Nursery
is now open Windmill Hill Business Park
Whitehill Way
for under-5s Swindon SN5 9NX
Tel: (0793) 877646 jigsaw