Back-to-work schemes after career breaks help ‘tackle pay gap’
NEW programmes are being launched to help teachers, social workers, health professionals and civil servants get back to work after career breaks.
The schemes, funded from £5 million earmarked in this year’s Budget, will offer to help “returners” refresh their skills, as part of the Government’s drive to close the gender pay gap, but the programme is open to both genders.
Skills minister Anne Milton said: “We want to help people looking to get into work, which is why we will do more to help people get back after a career break.”
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Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that women who take time out of work earn around 2 per cent less when they return for every year spent away.
Research by PwC says addressing the career break penalty could provide a £1.7 billion boost to the UK’s annual economic output, increasing the annual earnings of female professionals by an average of £4,000.
Local Government Association resources board chairwoman Claire Kober said: “We are pleased the Government has recognised supporting the return of good experienced social workers back into the profession.”