Equal - Digital Repository

Background

JIVE is a national partnership led by the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science Engineering and Technology at Bradford College. JIVE aims to address occupational segregation in the Science, Engineering, Construction and Technology (SECT) sectors. The under representation of women in SECT sectors is contributing to a continued skills gap, and is a national economic concern.

Key drivers for the JIVE philosophy are that

• Gender equality does not currently exist in SECT
• Measures need to be taken to allow women to participate fully and equally in the workplace
• Women should be empowered to fulfill their potential

Aims

• Combat skill shortages by ensuring that gender mainstreaming is at the heart of strategy: JIVE uses the influence of the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET, its high level Implementation Group and the Equal Thematic Networking Group to engage with the UK Government, Welsh National Assembly, and Scottish Executive policy makers to do this.
• Erode occupational segregation: JIVE seeks to embed gender considerations into economic and educational strategies
• Mainstream gender equality in SECT: JIVE is building on the vision and foundations established by the work of JIVE Partners to effect lasting change for women through improved policies and practices.
• Tackle barriers whilst providing inspiration and support: JIVE works in partnerships to encourage women and girls to pursue or return to careers in SECT, and seeks to remove barriers that prevent this.
• Raise the profile of women: JIVE raises the profile of women in SECT, and develops material and research to support the work of the partnership.
• Develop and share good practice

Objectives

• Women SECT Returners to support a minimum of 600 qualified women to return to SECT jobs.
• Networking & Mentoring to provide support and mentoring, strengthen existing membership organisations, and encourage women wanting to set up their own enterprise.
• Employer Consultative Services to consult with a minimum of 150 employers, providing advice on HR & gender equality.
• National Resource Centres to pilot two resource centres in Scotland and Wales, offering information, advice and solutions.
• SECT Employment Pathways  to develop employment pathways from school to work.
• Raise the Profile of Women to raise the profile of women in SECT to break down assumptions and challenge attitudes.
• Underpin Project Activities through research, development, products and evaluation.

Target Groups

women, science engineering construction and technology sectors

The UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC) was established in 2004 to deliver a substantial part of the Government's Strategy for Women in SET (2003). Funded from the science budget of the Department of Trade and Industry, the UKRC reports into the Office of Science and Technology. A high level Implementation Group has been selected by the Government to monitor progress of the Government's Strategy reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer. The UKRC has also established its own National Advisory Group. UKRC is the lead partner in JIVE.

Linked to three regional development agency regions and the Welsh and Scottish Assemblies, JIVE is creating a framework for co-ordinated delivery to maximise impact and effectiveness via Regional and National advisory groups consisting of key policy makers. This approach could provide a sustainable model for delivery which is transferable to all regions / counties and will be of particular interest to Regional and National development agencies in formulating economic policy.