In India, women’s departure from the workforce is a major concern that has been widely reported in recent years. A study by the World Bank shows a decline in female labor force participation from 31% in 2005 to 19% in 2021. Women in India tend to leave the workforce at a much higher rate than men, particularly after marriage or starting a family. Returning to work after a career break can present various challenges, including outdated skills, discrimination, and limited workplace flexibility. However, many companies are now offering return-to-work programs that aim to help women overcome these obstacles. These programs not only provide women with confidence and independence, but also financial stability. This list highlights the top 5 organizations that offer return-to-work programs for women.
- Career Reboot for Women by Accenture: Career Reboot for Women by Accenture: This program offers a personalized learning experience to women looking to restart their careers. With the help of qualified mentors, it provides a roadmap for successful job placement and fulfilling life goals. This program lasts for six months.
- VMinclusion Taara by VMware: This initiative by VMware is designed to empower women returning to work in India, with a focus on the technology industry. It provides comprehensive resources, including training, mentorship, networking, and career development opportunities, to help women transition back into the workforce after a career break. VMinclusion Taara aims to upskill 30,000 women in India with career gaps of 2 to 15 years. The duration of the program is three to six months.
- Vaapsi by Thoughtworks: Vaapsi is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiative that offers technical training to experienced women technologists who are on a career break and seeking to re-enter the technology industry. This program lasts three to six months.
- Rekindle by Amazon: Rekindle is a program launched by Amazon India to encourage women who have taken a professional hiatus to return to work. It provides organized onboarding, focused mentorship, flexible work options, and on-the-job development, lasting four months.
- Step Up by Acuity Knowledge Partners: Step Up provides women on a career break with the opportunity to re-establish themselves professionally. It helps make the transition from break to business smoother through skill-gap analysis, mentorship, re-skilling, upskilling, on-the-job training, and easy onboarding. The duration of the program is four to six weeks.
Women returning to workforce can bring benefits to both individuals and society. It helps women maintain their skills and knowledge, which can lead to career advancement and professional growth. Organizations are taking a step ahead in recognizing the value and potential of women regardless a career gap and are implementing policies and programs to support women on a career break.
