Case Study: Training and Development - Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce Women is a voluntary grassroots network encouraging membership and event attendance from employees at all levels throughout the UK. The aim is to develop an inclusive world-class women’s network contributing to personal growth and business success, supporting and encouraging individuals through connecting, learning and sharing with others. Rolls-Royce Women was launched in September 2006.

The network objectives, which will be delivered through annual success criteria, are:

• Establish and maintain an ongoing and successful network in the UK with local branches in key areas
• Raise the visibility of inspirational role models
• Facilitate and encourage mentoring and coaching across all levels of the organisation
• Provide the opportunity to build a range of relationships with internal and external networks

Support the successful recruitment and retention of women at all levels

Significant progress has been made in a short period of time. Formal roles within the UK Steering Group, the Regional Steering Groups, and the network work streams have been established and filled; governance and operating procedures are in place; and progress towards the 2007 annual success criteria is well head of target.

Current membership levels are in excess of 400 employees, well ahead of the target of 275 members by the end of December 2007.

More than 20 individual insight lunches have been held with senior leaders across the company to promote the visibility of both female and male role models and feedback has been extremely positive. Role model biographies of senior women leaders can now be accessed on the internal website.

The 2 regional teams, Southwest and Midlands, have delivered a number of formal and informal development events and have a programme of events planned around key themes for the remainder of 2007. More than 200 members attended career development events held in Derby and Bristol and a number of informal networking events have taken place to develop both the confidence to network and team working skills. The regional teams are currently delivering their second event which is focused on developing coaching skills.

Representatives from Rolls-Royce Women have also attended a number of external events.