RECOGNISING THE SKILLS AND POTENTIAL OF WOMEN RETURNERS

The nature of the available workforce will change dramatically over the next five to ten years, with more women being encouraged to return to paid employment. Employers need to examine the culture of the organisation, adapting as necessary to ensure that human resources are used to the best advantage. While running a home and raising a family, a woman will have developed organisational and interpersonal skills which can be adapted to the workplace. It is important that these skills are recognised by recruiters and further developed through training to ensure that individuals have the opportunity to develop their potential. Ways in which these skills can be recognised and built upon for the benefit of employers and returners are examined.