Bridging the skills gap and supporting women
Bridging the skills gap and supporting women
By Siobhan McIntosh, Senior Project Manager – Employment, ELBA
East London is full of talent and ambition but for many, the path into professional careers can feel unclear. Women in particular often face extra barriers, from confidence gaps to limited visibility of career pathways. As we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, creating practical opportunities that build skills and confidence is more important than ever.
85% of east London residents want more practical, accessible routes into work, especially opportunities that involve direct interaction with employers (East London Lines, 2024). These findings show just how valuable hands-on initiatives are for giving candidates real exposure to professional environments or employability-led training.
Our 1:1 CV Review and Mock Interview workshops, delivered in partnership with 40 Leadenhall and its building occupiers, provide tailored support to east London candidates. Participants receive personalised CV feedback, mock interviews and practice, as well as guidance on what employers tend to look for. Holding the sessions in a corporate setting helps candidates feel comfortable in professional environments while aiming to boost their confidence and readiness for applications.
With this being our second workshop with 40 Leadenhall, supporting both men and women, it has been particularly valuable for women returning to work, gaining confidence or looking to progress in their careers. One recent example included a young lady who attended the workshop and was offered work experience at the end of her mock interview by the interviewer. It was with an insurance company based in 40 Leadenhall. The candidate had some professional experience and a Project Management qualification but wanted more exposure and up-to-date work experience.
The experience gave her practical insight and a deeper understanding of the insurance industry and its wider business dynamics. She reflected:
“Connecting with professionals across Project Management, Team Management, Underwriting and Business Analysis provided valuable insight into how these interconnected functions operate in the insurance industry and drive operational excellence…..visiting the Lloyd’s Building gave me a real sense of how the market functions in practice, observing brokers and underwriters in the open “box” system… I’m grateful for the opportunity to build my experience and continue expanding my knowledge.”
— Oumaima
Evidence shows this support makes a real difference. A study by van Inwegen, Munyikwa and Horton (2023) found that improving CV quality can increase hiring probability by around 8%, demonstrating the impact of focused interventions.
Our next CV and mock interview workshop at 40 Leadenhall will take place on 16th April. For further information contact [email protected]
[Image by Sebastian Doe on flickr]
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References
[1] East London Lines. (2024). East Londoners feel locked out of professional career opportunities study. Report based on research by Queen Mary University of London / Mile End Institute. Available at: https://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2024/12/east-londoners-feel-locked-out-of-professional-career-opportunities-study-finds/
[2] van Inwegen, E., Munyikwa, Z., Horton, J. (2023). Algorithmic Writing Assistance on Jobseekers’ Resumes Increases Hires.
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