A free course sponsored by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aims to encourage more than 1,000 women to return to science, engineering and technology.
Run by the Open University as part of its Return Campaign, the online course, Science, Engineering and Technology: A Course for Women Returners is currently enrolling and will start in October.
Supported by DTI as part of the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET, the course is expected to run twice-yearly until February 2007.
It’s open to women who have studied or worked in science, engineering or technology (SET). As well as developing skills and confidence, the course includes the chance to meet potential employers, role models and mentors in SET.
Childcare expenses are available so that students can attend networking events and tutorials.
Sarah Richardson, returners co-ordinator for the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET, explained: “There are currently 50,000 women who are qualified at degree level in science, engineering or technology but who are not in paid employment."
“Of these only 8,000 return to SET occupations each year, the rest move into other occupations. This is a huge waste of skills and qualifications not just for the women on a personal level but also for British industry at a time of skills shortages in many areas of SET.”
“We are hoping that women who complete this course will develop the confidence and skills necessary to return to a career in SET.”
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