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12/12/2011
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Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, has announced the development of a new programme to support all female employees at the eight UK sites of Johnson Controls Automotive Experience, as part of its Career Investment and Progression Programme.
 Aimed at developing female careers in traditionally male-dominated industries, the scheme will benefit more than 350 female employees of Johnson Controls Automotive Experience, a global leader in automotive seating, overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and interior electronics, until March 2012.
To date, 84 women have benefited from the programme, which was first held at the UK-based facilities of Johnson Controls Automotive Experience in 2009. The intention now is to ensure that all women at the company have the chance to participate. Women who have taken part in the programme have come from a range of levels across the company, from senior positions to those working on the shop floor.
The programme has been running since June 2011 and is jointly funded by employers and Semta, through the UK Commission for Employment and Skills Employer Investment Fund. Following the course, £400 funding is made available for each female employee to fulfil further training needs.
Since the implementation of the programme, there have been a number of successful internal promotions and a noticeable boost in confidence across the female workforce, which has opened up opportunities for women to make the step up the career ladder.
Sara Andrews, senior HR manager, Johnson Controls Automotive Experience, said: "Diversity is a strategic priority of Johnson Controls. We want to ensure that women in our organisation are given the opportunity to progress their career. It is through schemes such as the Career Investment and Progression Programme that we can gain a real understanding of how women feel working in our company and what changes can be made to improve their working experience. We hope to now be able to develop the talent pipeline and in turn attract more females into a traditionally male dominated industry."
The programme has lead to the development of a new EAL-approved qualification,
EAL Level 3 Award In Career Advancement and Progression (QCF). This qualification seeks to help individuals manage themselves and have a significant positive impact on their career development. It covers setting and managing career goals, communicating effectively to different audiences in a business context and the importance of developing and managing a positive personal reputation and image. The programme and qualification aim to encourage women to develop in engineering and manufacturing careers where female numbers and applications are low.
Philip Whiteman, chief executive of Semta, said: "We work with a wide range of employers, of all sizes, in what have been traditionally male-dominated industries. We are therefore eager to develop the Career Investment and Progression Programme across the country for female employees. Through previous programmes, we have supported 880 female employees which is a really positive start. Creating female role models plays a vital part in encouraging other women to consider a career in the sectors we represent.
"We are thrilled to see that the programme has already delivered tangible business benefits for employees at Johnson Controls Automotive Experience in the UK. I hope this will encourage companies to identify and develop high potential female employees and boost women's skills sets to meet their business objectives."
Employers interested in finding out more about the Career Investment and Progression Programme should contact Semta Customer Services on 0845 643 9001, email customerservices@semta.org.uk or visit www.semta.org.uk
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Author
Brian Wall
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