Skillsoft, a corporate digital learning firm, has partnered with Ellevate Network, a global community for gender equality, to support women whose careers have been impacted by COVID-19.
Helping women into work after COVID-19
Ellevate Network launched their EllevateHER Forward Fellowship Program in 2020 to help women affected by COVID-19 return to the workforce, where globally, 4.2% of women’s employment was eliminated due to the pandemic, according to the International Labour Organisation.
To date, they have granted 500 women who may otherwise be unable to access or afford Ellevate’s resources with membership to the network.
Skillsoft has now announced that it will be a key Sponsor of the 2022 EllevateHER Fellowship Program, where selected candidates will gain access to Ellevate’s programmes for entrepreneurs, managers, career changers, rising leaders, and senior executives.
The programmes include access to local community groups, two 12-week online mentoring ‘squads’, weekly roundtables, Ellevate’s annual Mobilise Women Week Summit, and ongoing peer support.
All 250 fellows will receive access to Skillsoft’s Percipio learning platform and its learning resources to help women sharpen their existing skillset and give them new skills required for future roles.
Applications for 2022 fellows will open in the middle of next year where women laid off due to COVID-19, veterans, women going through a career transition, and those for whom the cost of membership would be a financial strain are most encouraged to apply.
Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek, CMO, Skillsoft, said: “At Skillsoft, we believe the power of learning can be transformative in helping women reskill and re-enter the workforce. Learning provides invaluable tools to help lift women, rebound and regain influence, power, and capital.
“We remain committed to equipping underemployed women with the skills needed to succeed in today’s economy and believe that the EllevateHer Forward Fellowship Program, with learning, empowerment, and allyship as foundational principles, can have a tangible impact on the lives and careers of incoming fellows.”
Kristy Wallace, CEO, Ellevate Network, said: “At Ellevate, we’ve mobilised to action in an effort to combat the exodus of women from the workforce as we’re currently experiencing the lowest number of women in the workplace since 1988.
“In launching the EllevateHER Forward Fellowship Program, our goal was to accelerate the post-pandemic recovery plan and advancement of women in the workforce. With Skillsoft’s partnership, we will be able to provide our community of fellows with critical learning resources that will empower them to take their vision or career goal and make it a reality.”
For women and their allies seeking more information about women reskilling and re-entering the workforce, visit Ellevate Network’s website here. Or visit Skillsoft’s blog here.
