Report on the First Phase of the Back2Work Training with Shecluded and Elvaridah

Year after year, many women leave the workforce due to unavoidable reasons such as childbirth, health issues, the loss of loved ones, and other life circumstances, prompting them to take a career break. While these breaks are often necessary, we have discovered that many women who take career breaks find it difficult to re-enter the workforce due to the ever-changing dynamics of the work environment. This is why the Shecluded and Elvaridah teams decided to collaborate on the Back2Work initiative, where women who desire to return to paid employment can be trained and equipped with the skills needed to secure a job.

We are now five weeks into the training, and we are glad to present the first phase report, which highlights the progress we have made so far. This report outlines key sessions, participant engagement, and the overall impact on the learners.

Training Overview

The training has brought together a diverse group of women, each committed to building the skills necessary for re-entering the job market. Over the past four weeks, we have successfully covered the following topics:

Building Effective Communication Skills

Facilitator: Nkechi Alade

Objective: Enhance participants' verbal and written communication skills for the workplace.

Key Takeaways: Participants learned how to structure emails, give effective presentations, and engage in active listening.

Practical Application: Learners were given an assignment to assess the impact of the session on them.

Emotional Intelligence

Facilitator: Just Omomo Ibe

Objective: Develop emotional awareness and management to foster healthier workplace relationships.

Key Takeaways: Learners explored how to regulate emotions, understand others' emotions, and improve collaboration.

Practical Application: Participants were given assignments where they shared how they would handle certain workplace scenarios.

Leveraging AI and Workplace Tools for Enhanced Productivity

Facilitator: Kemmal Onuoha

Objective: Introduce AI tools and how they can optimize work processes.

Key Takeaways: Participants learned to utilize AI for tasks such as scheduling, content creation, time management, and data analysis.

Practical Application: Learners experimented with AI tools like ChatGPT and Todoist.

Workplace Etiquette and Professionalism

Facilitator: Adaobi Whitney Ossai

Objective: Equip participants with knowledge of professional conduct in the workplace.

Key Takeaways: Emphasis was placed on punctuality, dress code, email etiquette, and emotional intelligence in the workplace.

Practical Application: Participants were given assignments to assess how well they understood and could apply professional workplace conduct.

CV Training

Facilitator: Ivy I. Nebe Azeke

Objective: Teach participants how to craft standout CVs tailored to their job search.

Key Takeaways: Participants learned how to structure CVs, highlight transferable skills, and use action verbs to showcase achievements.

Practical Application: Learners updated their CVs with the facilitator’s guidance and received personalized feedback.

How to Apply for Jobs

Facilitators: Moyinoluwa Adepoju and Ivy I. Nebe Azeke

Objective: Help participants navigate job search platforms and write compelling applications.

Key Takeaways: Step-by-step guides on searching for jobs and networking on social media platforms were provided.

Practical Application: Learners were tasked with implementing these techniques in real-time job applications.

Training Impact

The impact of the training has been notable, and we are excited to continue working with these women throughout the rest of the program. Below are some key statistics from the first phase:

1. Over 120 applications were received, with 94 participants starting the program.
2. 31 women were shortlisted for the second phase, ready for new career opportunities.
3. Participants are from diverse locations and backgrounds, including Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Abeokuta.
4. Participants have professional experience in fields such as HR, Marketing, IT, Admin, and Finance.

Participants Feedback

The participants have demonstrated remarkable growth, applying what they've learned directly to their job searches and professional interactions. Here are some of the feedback they shared:

1. “I learned so many things in today's class. Honestly, it has reshaped my thinking on how to apply for jobs, especially aligning your CV to fit a particular job requirement or role.”
2. “Wow!! Today's class was so great. I really learned a lot about how a professional CV should look like.”
3. “Our speaker today was amazing. To think she started from a science background. There really is no limit to one's achievement, just the mind. Seems like emotional intelligence is now the in thing in the corporate world today. Understanding workplace culture makes you a king. Email like a boss ???? I also made a screenshot, like ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Thank you so much for today's class; it was really enlightening.”
4. “Hello everyone ?? Could someone remind me of the name of the lady who led the emotional intelligence session yesterday? She truly is a Godsend! Not only did she prepare me for work, but she also saved my marriage. I really need to connect with her ????????."
5. “Yesterday was the first time I truly grasped the meaning of empathy and tolerance. I never fully understood these concepts before, but now I do. Thank you so much!”

Through practice-based learning, participants have become more intentional about acquiring new skills. Several women have already updated their CVs and are actively applying for positions using the strategies learned in the sessions.

Conclusion

The first phase of the Back2Work training has been a resounding success. The participants have shown tremendous dedication, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. As we move into the next phase, we remain committed to empowering these women with the advanced techniques they need to succeed in interviews and the job market.

We appreciate our partner Shecludedand the participants for their active engagement. Let’s keep the momentum going!