Applications for the Women Returners Programme, funded by the Scottish Government, due to close on 28th February

Are you a woman aged 25 or over? Have you been out of work for over 6 months? If so, the Women Returners Programme could help you restart your career journey.

Article Source: Virtual Internships
Last Updated: 24 February 2022 18:19

As many women have found, returning to work after an extended absence is sometimes not so straightforward, and far more complicated than originally thought. In addition, the added complication of the global pandemic has now raised deeper concerns that women (already disadvantaged by COVID’s impact on their lives) will find returning to their professional lives harder than ever.

In these circumstances, many women are concerned that their time away will negatively impact how they are perceived by potential employers. But, with the demand for highly skilled workers increasing, employers are actively courting women who left work to have children or to care for family members. Hiring working mothers is no longer a token gesture but a business imperative.

This is where The Women Returners Programme comes into play. Created to assist women in Scotland who’ve been out of work for 6+ months to successfully enter the workforce, the programme is set up to help restart the career journey for this important part of the workforce. The service aims to provide one-to-one bespoke support, advice and access to professional opportunities.

Virtual Internships is proud to be an official training provider of the programme and offer women the freedom to begin re-entry into the professional world – regardless of their location. Our vision is to promote the benefits of flexible working approaches and utilizing technology to create opportunities to access good work based on an individual’s talent rather than their logistical circumstances.

Offering an entirely online internship with additional professional career support via CareerBridge, Virtual Internships offers programme participants the opportunity to professional participate across 18 in-demand sectors and access to over 4,000 employers globally.

The Program
• Opportunities across 18 in-demand career fields
• Project-based learning with access to over 4000 employers globally.
• Easy-to-use online employability platform
• Employability coaching and support to make the most of your experience
• Feedback & Global Career Management Plan to help with next steps
• Completed fully online – no commute, no relocation, flexible hours.
• Multiple Start dates throughout 2021 & 2022

When asked about her Virtual Internship, Jennifer stated that: “Virtual Internships was a great opportunity for me to learn new skills. Being able to build confidence, get hands-on experience in my chosen career field, networking, and receive feedback for personal development was a wonderful experience!”

Barriers Facing Women Wishing to Re-enter the Workforce Include:
• Experiencing the “Motherhood Penalty”
• Loss of professional confidence
• Gaps in updated skills for future of work including digital skills
• Lack of flexible working opportunities.
• Significantly impacted by the pandemic

Numerous studies carried out since the first lockdown last year have suggested the pandemic is aggravating gender inequality. One, by the University of Exeter, found women are almost twice as likely as men to have lost their job during the pandemic Another study by networking site LinkedIn, which looked specifically at people over 30 (most likely to have additional caring responsibilities), showed women have consistently made up less than half of successful applicants for new jobs since the start of the pandemic, despite more women than men spending additional time job-hunting.

Learner sign-ups in the virtual internship programs have increased exponentially from just 100 in 2019 to over 6,000 expected in 2021. The eventual goal is to target one million learners globally per year.

According to Virtual Internships Co-Founder, Daniel Nivern: “Having helped over 10,000 learners to do in-person internships, we thought to ourselves wouldn’t it be amazing if we could offer similar transformative international internships programs, not to 10,000 learners but a million learners”.

Currently, Virtual Internships partners with over 100 universities and governments and approximately 7,000 host companies across 70 countries worldwide.

Funded by the Scottish Government, the Womans Returner Programme aims to contribute towards reducing the gender pay gap, improving women’s economic position in the labour market and delivering fair and inclusive economic growth. Support offered will be based on an individual’s existing skills, experience and barriers to employment and could include, but is not limited to, mentoring, CV-building, IT skills, other learning provisions or a work placement.

Register your interest at: www.virtualinternships.com/woman-returners-scotland

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Fife News

Dunfermline Community Comes Out to Honour Local Hero

Over 150 people from Dunfermline and beyond came out on Sunday 27th April to honour the memory of David Seath and to raise funds to support veterans across Scotland.

Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open

Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!

Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15

To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.

This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!

Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!

Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.

Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.

DofE Award participants supported by RSM UK Foundation share their achievements at visit

Young people with ASN from Woodmill High School, Dunfermline and Glenwood High School in Glenrothes welcomed Kelly Adams a trustee of the RSM UK Foundation to share their achievements.

New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday

Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.

New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.

Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity

The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!

New Spring Dinners from Baern at Bowhouse

Baern, an award-winning bakery and café based at Bowhouse, are offering a laid-back yet thoughtful seasonal Dinner Series on 19th, 26th April and 3rd May.

Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden

The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.

Love Your Lawn with Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.

Exclusive child planting event in honour of National Childrens Gardening Week

Dobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.

The Proclaimers join in celebrations for landmark anniversary of sight loss charity

Scottish rock legends the Proclaimers have joined in the celebrations to mark the 160th anniversary of one of the country’s sight loss charities.

BBC Introducing comes to TRNSMT Festival, bringing 20 rising stars

Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.

The hoppiest time of the year at the National Trust For Scotland

The National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!

Top comedian and Scottish brewer team up in search of best Scottish banter for upcoming book

Innis & Gunn joins forces with top Scottish comedian Marc Jennings to find Scotland's funniest pub stories for 'The Book of Pub Banter & Confessions'.

Spring into gardening: Dobbies free April workshops

Garden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with wildflowers and springtime celebrations.

JADE and Myles Smith join TRNSMT 2025 lineup

Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has revealed five new artists to the Glasgow Green billing, including two of the hottest UK acts right now, JADE and Myles Smith!

Doors to historic sites across Scotland set to open next month

More than 30 historic seasonal sites across the country will reopen to visitors from Tuesday 1st April, as Historic Environment Scotland marks the start of its spring/summer season.

Theatrical screenings take centre stage at Vue this spring

To coincide with World Theatre Day this Thursday (27 March), Vue venues in Scotland are bringing a selection of British productions to the big screen this spring.

Scottish youth hostelling charity launches initiative reviving funded breaks for disadvantaged young people and families

An organisation that runs youth hostels across Scotland is launching an initiative to provide free stays for disadvantaged young people and families.

TRNSMT reveals 18 big dance acts for Glasgow Green

BBC Radio 1 Dance is taking over the much-loved Boogie Bar to bring some of the best dance music to Glasgow Green this summer on 11-13th July!

UB40 ft. Ali Campbell brings legendary vibes to Kelpies Live at Helix Park

UB40 ft. Ali Campbell are set to light up Falkirk as part of Kelpies Live at Helix Park, marking a triumphant return to Scotland for one of music's most iconic acts.

Aldi calls on children to design a poster for food action week

To mark Food Waste Action Week (17th – 23rd March), Aldi is calling on children in Scotland to design a poster that encourages people to reduce food waste.

Giant gold girder stuns Scots as competition heats up

With three 18-carat golden girders worth £10,000 still out there, IRN-BRU unveils giant hanging girder to encourage Scots to get on the hunt!

Architect awarded extended contract for major St Andrews West development

Award-winning architecture and design practice Studio LBA has been appointed for the next residential phase of the St Andrews West masterplan development.

Family fun awaits at Vue venues across Scotland this Easter break

From Wallace & Gromit to Sonic the Hedgehog, there’s plenty to enjoy at Vue venues across Scotland this Easter break.

Popular Listings

Adam Smith Theatre Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline Carnegie Hall Corn Exchange Cupar Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy Lochgelly Centre PJ Molloys Rothes Halls Teasses Estate The Byre Theatre St Andrews

Applications for the Women Returners Programme, funded by the Scottish Government, due to close on 28th February

Are you a woman aged 25 or over? Have you been out of work for over 6 months? If so, the Women Returners Programme could help you restart your career journey.

Sponsored Links

Latest Fife News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings