Nearly 20 years ago, training consultant, Valerie Fawcett of Syntagm Ltd. launched the Springboard Women’s Development Programme as an open course in Oxford. This spring she will be running it for the 20th consecutive year.

Springboard helps women to assess their skills, values, abilities, strengths and weaknesses, set goals for themselves and start achieving those goals over a 3-month period. Participants attend four one-day workshops and work through a workbook.

With the advances women have made in the workplace in 20 years, why is Springboard still relevant? Valerie says: “It’s true that the conditions for women in some organisations have changed dramatically. When I first started running Springboard programmes, the idea of flexible working, for example, was just a pipedream. Those of us who suggested it were laughed at by many people. That was before businesses realised it was to their own benefit to provide working conditions which would enable them to continue to have the talents of experienced female staff after they had their children.”

Has Valerie noticed any difference in the applicants coming forward since 1991? “I would say that the younger women now take it for granted that they will have a continuing working life, and they are thinking of different ways to fulfil career and mother roles. I also get more women on the open course now who are thinking of starting their own business. I think that reflects the dissatisfaction women still have with breaking into senior roles in some organisations, and the conditions of carrying out those roles.”

Sue Bale, now Publishing Director for Dictionaries at Macmillan Education, was on the first Oxford course in 1991 and says, “The course helped me to think more clearly about how to achieve my own goals. At the same time it provided valuable insights into how to improve confidence and engagement within my team. The course couldn't be more aptly named - it provides a springboard to taking the next career step with confidence.”

The developers of Springboard are Liz Willis and Jenny Daisley. Since 1991, Springboard has won a National Training Award and over 190,000 women worldwide have been through the course. New organisations are still coming forward for in-house courses. The 2010 Oxford Springboard course starts on 21st April. More details available at http://www.syntagm.co.uk/peopleskills/springnav.shtml#springboard or from Valerie Fawcett at 01235 522859.

Author: Ed

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