JIVE - Creating Change for Women & Girls in Science, Engineering, Construction and Technology

Case Study - Rotherham 2010 Ltd

Kate Plant, Equalities and Diversity Officer at Neighbourhood Management, 2010 Rotherham Ltd, outlines her experience of working with JIVE.

"As a new equality and diversity manager in a construction/housing organisation I quickly perceived that my not having worked across gender equality previously was going to be a big disadvantage. It was, internally, the biggest area that needed to be addressed. I was hugely thankful when I made contact with WISET and then JIVE. Providing a wider horizons work placement with JIVE was something we were proud of doing but also I believe was the beginning of getting managers to challenge their own preconceptions about what young women are interested in.

JIVE, along with Leicester City Council, held our hand through the very exhausting process of changing our recruitment for apprentices to reach a wider pool. We had applications from over 40 women where as in the past we had had none. The techniques used also contributed to raising the number of applications from other harder to reach groups so we were delighted. JIVE helped us to bottom out how we were going to fund apprenticeships for people over 25 and helped us wend our way through various advisory and educational bodies.

The CAT survey triggered a buzzing of mixed responses - everyone had an opinion and lots of discussion was had. The interactive presentation of the findings from the survey to the board and also to some of our tenant reps was enjoyable and professional, leaving people wanting to know and do more, which is great for me. Currently 60 of my colleagues are receiving training from JIVE and Lets Twist in Gender in construction. The training highlights the barriers that are some times subtle, sometimes overt that women face and helps those who attend consider their role in removing them. I watched some of the most intractable of our staff begin to thaw and see how the issues that were likely to be addressed by having more women in the work place would in fact benefit all.

JIVE also helped us look through mentoring opportunities and our newest female apprentice has found the group she was put in touch with most helpful.

All in all the service from JIVE has been patient, long suffering, professional, holistic, supportive and best of all has moved us forward in real ways. I want to say a huge thank you, however I won't because I don't want them to think they've finished - I hope they'll be around for the long haul."