A new support service for women returning to work in Northern Ireland has launched.
Timely Careers, NI’s first support service and jobs platform specialising in only flexible, part time, job share and term-time job opportunities, launched on Wednesday.
It's aimed at providing women who are returning to work following a break or who require reduced hours with skills training and career support.
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The social enterprise, part of the Women in Business Group, is a free support service for these women and will include job posts spanning a wide range of industries.
Commenting at the launch, CEO of Women in Business NI, Roseann Kelly, MBE said: “The employment rate for females in NI has been consistently lower than for males over the past ten years. For many women full-time work is simply not a realistic option, yet it is still often difficult to find skilled part-time jobs, careers and opportunities that respect the other commitments and demands in their lives.
“Career planning and peer support groups form an integral part of Timely Careers to ensure that women receive the right support needed to upskill, network and ultimately find a job that works for them and matches their skills and experience.
“We wanted to challenge perceptions and remove the obstacles and anxiety often faced by women who want to return to work. As well as enabling and empowering women, we want to educate companies and employers on the value and benefits that offering part-time roles can bring to a business, including higher levels of productivity and increased staff retention.”
Speaking to Belfast Live, Roseann added: "Timely Careers is definitely needed. We launched a 'Press Refresh' programme about two years ago with the Department of Economy and Belfast Met which was for women returning into data analytics.
"We had two weeks to market that programme and the women had to have degrees. We had 300 women apply... for 20 places. And that was just the first cohort."
She added how Timely Careers is also a place to bring women together.
"The support and empathy and inspiration women get from each other is really important...
"I think women do find it very hard to get back in [to work]. I didn't know what Zoom was two years ago or Teams or anything, so even all that tech that has come in.
"We need to remove as many barriers as possible. There are hugely talented women out there and we have a skills shortage in Northern Ireland and we need them," Roseann added.
More than 20 jobs are already live on the site.
Timely Careers aims to support businesses by connecting them to a unique pool of talent.
Vanessa Milliken, Engagement Officer at Timely Careers, who is a point of contact for women, said: “Over the last 10 years I have needed to work part-time for various reasons, including family commitments and returning to education to study a BEng with Queens University Belfast in Software Engineering. The process of trying to find a part-time job has been stressful and honestly at times incredibly deflating. Part-time and flexible roles are hard to find, and in addition to this, there is a lack of variety which can lead skilled staff to being under-employed.
"In the past, I have also been unemployed, not due to willingness or lack of skills, but due to being unable to find a job with hours that I could manage alongside my other commitments. Ironically, I have also been turned down for roles due to being ‘over-qualified’ and have had to answer interview questions regarding this.
“So, as you can imagine, when I first heard about Timely Careers, I was so excited. As it turns out, I didn’t end up signing up as a candidate but instead I was offered a position to work for Timely Careers.
"I am really excited to see the progress that we will make in re-defining part-time employment..."
Launch event host Fibrus, one of the seven founding partners, believes this platform will help encourage more women into the telecoms sector and promote the career opportunities that exists within the industry.
Chief People Officer, Linda McMillan, said: “We chose to be part of this scheme for many reasons. Fibrus is all about connecting communities and giving back to those areas in which we operate, which is why we wanted to become one of Timely’s founder partners.
“We want people to know that we’re here to support, educate and deliver opportunities to females regardless of the stage they are at in their career, or are taking the huge step of returning to the workplace following a break.
"A diverse and inclusive colleague base brings benefits to a business and adds value to its bottom line – that’s why Fibrus encourages women to consider working here.
“If we can help give women the confidence to step back into work, or support them in a career change, that’s where we want to be. It’s a hugely exciting initiative to be a part of.”
The remaining founding partners of Timely Careers include Danske Bank, Deloitte, Hughes Insurance, Version 1, Allstate and NIE Networks who have pledged their support for the next two years.
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