Media agency Initiative announced the launch of Maternity Masterclass, a national program designed to help parents return to work with more experience than before.
Initiative will fund accredited and remote learning programs for new parents on leave choosing to enrol in courses such as behavioural science. The program also offers mentorship training to further enhance individual skills and capabilities.
“With a workforce made up of 66% women in the 25-34 year-old age group, plus an all agency gender split of more than 60% female, it is a business imperative to continually look for ways to help employees thrive when they’re not at work for extended periods, such as on parental leave”, says Erin Jakubans, chief people officer, Initiative Australia.
“Parents can effectively lose a year’s worth of career progression when they take time off to not just have children but raise them during their formative years.
“We know many parents feel an extended period of time away from the office can stall their careers, and while Maternity Masterclass is definitely not for everyone, we want those who have the desire to study to be encouraged and helped to do so.
“Innovative programs like Maternity Masterclass are a wonderful way for employees taking parental leave to build their CV and add additional skills to their repertoire."
The program comes into full effect ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
“At Initiative our parental leave policy and programs like Maternity Masterclass make us ‘among the best in the industry’ and are part of our commitment to ensure everyone has the chance to balance work and family life," says Jakubans.
"Ultimately, we hope talent will see Initiative as a long-term career option that is supportive through all different phases of life. Maternity Masterclass helps revamp our talent retention and attraction goals."
Melissa Fein, CEO Initiative Australia: “As an industry leader, we are proud to support our employees through every phase of their careers.
“We need to ensure our people have every opportunity to balance work, family, and other responsibilities and have the option to increase their skill set even when on extended leave. The Maternity Masterclass program is a welcome addition to Initiative’s industry leading parental leave policy and is designed to help parents grow and thrive in their careers."
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