TWO Belfast based leaders have launched a new programme for UK companies aimed at tackling an often-overlooked issue in the business world.
Laura Kearney – who is the founder and Inclusion IQ – and Shelly Higgins – who is Operations Manager at Springvale Learning have created the NICE Framework, a programme aimed at not only supporting professional women back into employment but also championing the benefits of part-time working to employers.
Laura says that the programme will help to boost productivity in the UK economy, unlock the ambition of women who want to return to work and help companies offset the looming rise in National Insurance, which many experts say could fuel a spike in unemployment numbers.
She also explains that the programme is particularly aimed at females who are coming back into middle to upper tier roles on a part time basis in companies, something that is often overlooked.
The initiative can also help tackle an even more important issue. In Northern Ireland since 2020, 24 women have been violently killed, all but one by a man, with 41 confirmed femicides since 2017. Sadly, Northern Ireland is also the number one in the UK and third in Europe per capita for instances of domestic violence.
Shelly and Laura say the programme will help victims of domestic abuse to gain a pathway to independence and financial sovereignty.
The NICE Framework stands for nurture, integration, culture and employment and is a twelve-month programme.
Laura comments: “You could call it the hidden middle – professional women who have left employment whether it is to have a child, because of illness or a host of other reasons looking to come back into employment but requiring flexibility or part time work. This is easier to do with entry level roles which is great – but what about those who are a rung up the ladder?
“I know of a senior partner in a law firm who had to care for one of their parents with dementia and then couldn’t come back into a similar role part time. This is having a triple negative impact because it is hurting her career prospects, depriving the sector she works in and hurting the economy. Yet for this woman the solution is simple – part time work.”
Laura goes on to say that many women are having to also pay for their own qualifications if they want to go back into work, something which the NICE Framework will help with too.
Shelly Higgins has long been an advocate of part-time work and in her own organisation has seen the benefits: “It’s a productive group and we’re not have the attrition of people leaving and then the cost and burden of having to recruit again. It’s not about letting people work when they want and a free for all but taking a common-sense approach and unlocking the talent of these forgotten contributors to society.”
With rising employee’s national insurance set to hit businesses in April, employing two people on a part-time basis can mitigate the cost for businesses as they can split a £35,000 salary for example.
The programme will last up to twelve months and provide training around AI, communications and social media – ensuring that participants are fully up to date with the demands of modern work; as well as helping with confidence and resilience.
Those who take part will also have a full-time mentor and eventually be placed in a new job role. Laura will also work with employers to ensure they are filling the skills gaps impacting their businesses.
If you are an employer or employee, get in touch by emailing Laura@Inclusioniq.co.uk shelly.higgins@springvalelearning.com or calling 07843141841.