Returner programmes have been launched as part of this year’s budget, by the Minister of State for Apprenticeships, Skills and Women.
The initiatives will be offered by employers to help employees return to work after a career break. The idea is they will boost skills, improve employee confidence and close the pay gap between genders.
Formal schemes by employers
The initiatives are part of the funding announced in this year’s budget aimed at supporting people in the workplace, both men and women.
Across the public sector, there will also be four new returner schemes run by the government equalities office. The programmes are open to men and women and will give people a chance to refresh their skills, build professional networks and catch up on changes since they’ve been away from the workplace.
Career break penalty
Research by Price Waterhouse Cooper shows that tackling the ‘career break penalty’ could boost the country’s economic output by £1.7 billion. It could also boost a woman’s professional earnings by an average of £4,000 each.
Later in 2017, people returning to work will be able to apply for social work, health professional and civil service returning programmes. The government hopes to help parents, carers and those who have suffered ill health to return to work.
Minister of State for Apprenticeships, Skills and Women, Anne Milton, said: “We want to help people who are looking to get into work, which is why we are going to do more to help people get back into work after a career break. Women in particular find the routes back into employment closed off after taking time out to start a family.”
Routine return to work
The government hopes that the returner programmes will make it normal and routine for women to go back into the workplace and pursue their career. Ultimately, they hope that the initiative will tackle and close the gender pay gap.
The public sector is leading by example to introduce returner programmes and, working with Civil Service HR, Health Education England, the government will establish the following programmes:
- Civil servants: In October 2017, Civil Service HR will launch a returner programme for 50 employees. They will be offered placements of up to six months, which will be paid. The placements will offer development opportunities.
- Social workers: The Local Government Association (LGA) will offer 100 placements for returners across three regions in England.
- Teachers: The Department for Education will work with GEO on developing a returner programme.
- Allied health professionals: The Department of Health, along with Health Education. England will run a returner programme for 300 allied health professionals across England. The programme will aim to get returners ready to go into practice within six to 12 months.
- Business groups: The government will work with various groups to identify now to improve the opportunities for women returners.
Developing best practice
The government has also launched a public call for evidence, for returners, employers and employees to have their say. The idea is that individuals and employers will share how best to support people (both men and women) returning to work after a career break. It runs until 29 October and is important for people to get their opinions across.
