Case study:Occupational Segregation - Oxford and Cherwell Valley College

Jobs 4 the Girls is an 18 month long EU funded project that will recruit 160 women to an innovative training and work placement programme. Working with other local colleges and businesses, a partnership between Oxford Womens Training (part of Oxford and Cherwell Valley College) and Women Builders in Milton Keynes offers basic introductory training in construction and building skills to the women to teach new skills and enhance existing ones. This includes a formal health and safety qualification, which is an advantage for anyone applying for a job in the industry.

100 of the successful women will be placed on work experience with local companies in Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The placements are expected to lead to the offer of permanent employment within the construction industry with the women undertaking a recognised NVQ in their chosen specialist trade.

Most of the placements are in small or medium sized companies, although some larger employers have been engaged for sustainability after the life of the project. Employers are fully briefed on the expectations of continued employment and formal NVQ training of the beneficiaries following participation in the project

To date 73 women have registered on the OCN Level 1 Training course that supports the project. Painting and decorating, tiling, plumbing, carpentry and kitchen fitting are all trades that women have expressed an interest in, for jobs and NVQs. So far, 43 women have successfully passed their CSCS Health and Safety exam.

Two learners who successfully completed their training, gained their CSCS Health and Safety Award and undertook work experience placements with MITIE Property Services (UK) Ltd, are now being offered positions with the company, one in plumbing and the other in carpentry, provided they secure places at college to continue their studies.

Three learners, so far, have gone on to set up their own businesses in painting and decorating. Another student has registered for a brickwork course at a local college.

To date, 34 learners have had work experience in 12 companies with sites or premises in either Oxford or Milton Keynes. Additional companies continue to be approached to expand this network. Articles about the project have been commissioned by MITIE, ROK and Leadbitter as well as the ESF.