Case Study: Training and Development - Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence Manifesto for Civilian Women sets out the top issues raised by women in the Department at focus groups and round table discussions It also highlights planned and current activities aimed at addressing a number of those issues. The Manifesto is a visible commitment by the MOD that the issues of their female staff are being taken seriously.

The Departmental Gender Champion sponsors the Manifesto and also chairs the Gender Panel, which uses the Manifesto to set its agenda.

The impact of the Manifesto is measured by:

• Progress against Cabinet Office gender targets for the Senior Civil Service and feeder grades
• Internal targets for an increase across all grades for staff working part-time
• Targets to increase the number of people who are happy with their work life balance as measured through the staff opinion survey
• Targets for an increase in the number of women applying for promotion
• Measurements to ensure that each Women’s Network has a firm foundation and is sustainable

The number of women’s networks has increased from 3 to 7 and membership numbers are growing. The personal development opportunities sponsored by the networks are helping to build confidence and address members issues These include mentoring workshops, inspirational speakers, work life balance coaching, assertiveness training etc. Additionally, a partnership has been established to run a co-coaching initiative for women across six public and private sector organisations (see Ministry of Justice case study).