In a regular feature for Caerphilly Observer, Caerphilly Business Forum and its partners offer their business Insight. This week Denise Lovering, Commercial Director at Glenside Commercial, explains the role women have in the economic recovery.
For years we have seen women working behind the scenes in many businesses – quietly and without any thought that they were doing anything special.
In most cases they are key personnel, having the experience and knowledge about practically every administrative function with the ability to step in should a colleague leave or be taken ill.
But as I found, to my surprise, women just did not push themselves forward and many did not believe they offered anything special – hence the idea to create and sponsor the Women in Business Award at the annual Caerphilly Business Forum Awards.
Indeed the job market is very challenging for women when you consider we have had an increase in the pensionable age resulting in women working longer. This in turn reduces the number of jobs that become available.
The recent welfare reforms have increased the number of women seeking jobs with a sizeable number of lone parents, as well as a large number of former claimants of incapacity benefit, now re-entering the job market.
While this trend comes with a number of challenges, including the need for up-to-date skills and higher levels of confidence, it is encouraging to see the significant increase in the levels of self-employment amongst women over the last four years.
Of these, many have told me that one of the main reasons for starting their own business is the control it gives them over working hours – especially where there are issues with childcare.
It does not come as much of a surprise that unemployment facing young women in Wales has increased by more than 20% during the last four years, according to a major report published recently.
The report by the Bevan Foundation also states that while male unemployment has been static or declining for the last two years, women’s unemployment has risen by 12%.
What is certain is that women have a vital role to play in the economic growth and future prosperity of the country.
In my view, women certainly stand to gain from better information about work choices and all the different sectors that are available to them before they leave school.
In achieving this I believe women need better support – not just in helping to raise their aspirations, but also to maximise their many talents.
I believe that through our continued support of the Women in Business Award we will go some way in helping women recognise their considerable worth.
Denise Lovering, Commercial Director at Glenside Commercial
• The Caerphilly Business Forum Awards are open for entries until September 20. The Awards ceremony will take place at Llancaiach Fawr Manor on November 22.