It works! The whole process was quite extraordinary.
The feedback from participants and faciltators at the project partner meeting in London was encouraging and inspiring.
EU return partners met in London at the beginning of June to share experiences of Career Circles and to plan the next steps. The meeting proved to be an interesting and successful session, with each partner presenting their series of Career Circles and results. Emma Parry from Inova in the UK commented that it was “great to see the impact on women returners across Europe through a second successful Career Circle pilot.”
Career Circle Materials Now Online
The EU Return project has developed an online version of all the materials used in the Career Circles, in an interactive, easy-to use format.
As part of the project outcomes, virtual access to the learner’s materials developed by the project is being piloted. Using the online classroom software ‘Moodle’, the materials have been uploaded and adapted to become more interactive. Forums allow users to share thoughts and experiences, while private areas allow users to chart their journey as a learning log.
UK Extends Paternity Rights
Under a change in law coming into effect in April 2011, fathers in the UK will have the option to take more time off after the birth of their children.
In a move which it is hoped will support mothers in returning to work, couples will be able to transfer the last three months of the mother’s nine-month maternity leave to the father. In effect, this means that fathers will be able to take three months paid paternity leave while the mother returns to work, with the additional option of another unpaid three months paternity leave.
Second Series of Career Circles Now in Progress
Partners are now carrying out the final stage of adapting the Career Circles methodology.
A second pilot of Career Circles for women returners is beginning this month in four partner countries – UK, Denmark, Portugal and Romania, as well as in a fifth, Switzerland, carried out by our associate partner.
Feedback from the first sessions has been very positive so far, with participants feeling motivated and inspired by their meeting.
Spanish EU Presidency looks at Women’s Employment
Spain took over the rolling six-month presidency of the European Union on 1 January 2010. Eva-Britt Svensson, chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, felt very positive about first talks with the Spanish Minister for Equality, Bibiana Aido. Among highlighted issues was women’s role in the economy. With the economy as the priority for the Spanish presidency, the issue of women in work will be an interesting one.
