On Monday 9 March, over 100 women attended a special Jobs Fair event at Coventry’s Job Shop in honour of International Women’s Day.
The event offered local women the chance to talk to over a dozen local employers and skills partners in the city to connect them with jobs and training opportunities, particularly in sectors where they remain significantly under-represented, such as construction, engineering, digital and logistics, where national figures show men make up over 80% of the workforce.
Women who attended were also able to hear powerful talks from women in senior leadership roles across those industries, around the theme of ‘I Can’, which showcased examples of women rebuilding confidence, switching careers or taking the first steps into new industries.
Some of the organisations in attended included: Coventry City Council, Hill Group, NP Aerospace, Vistry Group, Pack Smart, TechSheCan, NIS Group, Coventry College, University of Warwick, the National Careers Service and DWP Jobcentre Plus, among many others.
Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “This year’s event was fantastic and really showcased examples of women who’ve taken steps to change their lives and their careers, and are now thriving as a result.
“I was thrilled to see so many employers in attendance too, demonstrating that there is plenty of opportunity for women in sectors which have traditionally been more male-dominated.
“It was truly inspiring to be a part of and I want to ensure that every woman in Coventry has the support and the pathways available for to reach their full potential.”
Xiaomei, a Job Shop customer who attended the event, said: “Thank you for organising such a wonderful women’s event. I found it inspiring and very helpful. I learned about employment opportunities in industries I had never considered before, and I felt empowered by the brilliant speeches from professional women with such diverse backgrounds.”
For details about work or training opportunities available, visit the Job Shop on Smithford Way in the city centre, email jobshop@coventry.gov.uk, or visit www.coventry.gov.uk/JobShop