Women Making a Difference

This course follows naturally on from Engendering Change and is University accredited (10 credits).

It is created for those women who have been inspired to explore the opportunities open to them in public appointments, political life or community development.

Women into Public Life(WIPL) delivers invaluable training to equip them to apply for posts and succeed with confidence.

There are two parts to the course:

The academic element explores the context of women's experience across all aspects of society, including home life, representations in the media, employment and public life.

The practical element provides training in presentation skills, confidence and assertiveness, networking, applying for public appointments, creating CVs and so forth. Firsthand experience of community leadership, public and political life is gained through mentoring and role shadowing.

A high percentage of women who have taken part in Engendering Change go on to enjoy this course. Building on their new-found skills, knowledge and confidence Women into Public Life continues to support those women who have been inspired to explore further opportunities open to them in public appointments, political life or community development.

Mentoring is a key aspect of the WIPL programme. Pairing aspiring candidates with more experienced mentors provides constructive and informed advice and support. Mentoring gives participants confidence to take control of their own journey; empowers them to plan their own future and capitalises on their potential.

Women on the WIPL course are also encouraged to role shadow both men and women who are in the positions of power to which they aspire. Working with and observing post-holders in action gives an honest insight into what those appointments really involve.

The third stage of our training, Women in Management (WIM) is, like Women into Public Life, University accredited (20 credits) and has been developed especially for women to acquire the supervisory and management skills they will need if they are to take up higher level public appointments – as well as gaining transferrable skills which will improve their employment opportunities or take them further on the path of Higher Education.

WIM has been developed especially for women who aspire to be the leaders in their communities and decision-makers at all levels of public and political life in Wales. It enables those women who would not otherwise have a public voice to acquire the supervisory and management skills they will need to successfully apply and succeed with confidence.

This course covers:

• Committee Skills and Strategic Management.
• Social Policy.
• Career & Personal Development.
• Management Education.
• IT skills including webpage design and use of PowerPoint.

Women completing all three stages have been inspired to use their qualifications, confidence and experience to take up a diversity of roles in public life as well as improving their employment prospects and/or progressing on to further study in Higher Education.