17/02/09
‘Sound of Music’ star launches gender equality project
A £12.5m project funded by the European Social Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government, aimed at tackling the difficulties women face when progressing in the workforce, was launched today (Tuesday February 10 2009) by Sound of Music Star Connie Fisher.
Chwarae Teg's Agile Nation project will help women to achieve their
full potential by promoting gender equality in employment and
supporting career advancement. It will also assist employers with the
retention of skilled staff and maximising the talent in their workforce.
By assisting up to 2,800 women in West Wales and the Valleys through
training and mentoring, the project aims to help them progress their
careers and secure higher-skilled employment opportunities. A training
allowance scheme will also be available for women with job-specific
training needs.
Agile Nation will also help over 600 employers with advice and guidance
on equality and diversity issues, raising awareness of the business
benefits of flexible working, and will promote and educate employers
around work life balance issues.
Connie Fisher, the former telesales worker who rose to fame in a BBC
One talent contest to secure the role of Maria in the West End musical
‘The Sound of Music', took part in a webcast between the Wales
Millennium Centre in Cardiff and the Quay Hotel in Deganwy to highlight
how technology can be harnessed to enable businesses and women across
Wales to reap the many benefits of flexible working.
Speaking at the launch, the musical star said:
"I worked so hard to achieve my dream, and worked as a waitress and in
a call centre to fund myself as I went to audition after audition. Most
women have a dream or goal, just like I did, and what's important is to
have the right opportunities and having the right skills to make the
most of them, as well as a little bit of perseverance!
"With Agile Nation women are being given the opportunity to fulfil their potential which is great news for women in Wales."
Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg, Katy Chamberlain, said:
"Evidence shows there is still much to do to improve equality of
opportunity for women in the workplace. By working with businesses to
address barriers to progression and encourage the take-up of flexible
working, the project will benefit their entire workforce, and will
contribute to the retention of talent which, in the current economic
climate, is crucial to success.
"Connie Fisher is a fantastic role model as many millions watched her
battle the odds to achieve her dreams. She is ideal to launch a project
which by bringing together advice, training and technology, will not
only benefit thousands of women in some of Wales' most deprived areas,
but will leave a lasting legacy by enabling women and businesses to
reach their full potential."
Agile Nation has also secured the backing of the leading body
representing small businesses in Wales. Russell Lawson, spokesperson
for the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales said:
"Flexible working practices can reduce costs and help increase
productivity and are incredibly powerful tools when it comes to staff
retention and motivation. Managing flexible working can be a challenge
so by engaging with the Agile Nation project small businesses across
Wales can be given an all-important helping hand and could really reap
the rewards."
Jane Hutt, Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, said:
"Agile Nation will mark a step change in the position of women in the
economic environment in Wales. Chwarae Teg has a long and successful
history of promoting the positive contribution that women make to the
Welsh economy and this innovative and exciting project will be a
lasting legacy of best practice for Wales."
For further information about the Agile Nation Project, visit the Chwarae Teg website, www.chwaraeteg.com/agile-nation.
