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A £12.5m project funded by the European Social Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government, aimed at tackling the difficulties women face when progressing in the workforce, will be launched today (Tuesday February 10 2009) by Sound of Music Star Connie Fisher.

Chwarae Teg’s Agile Nation project will help women to achieve their full potential by promoting gender equality in employment and supporting career advancement. It will also assist employers with the retention of skilled staff and maximising the talent in their workforce.

By assisting up to 2,800 women in West Wales and the Valleys through training and mentoring, the project aims to help them progress their careers and secure higher-skilled employment opportunities.  A training allowance scheme will also be available for women with job-specific training needs.

Agile Nation will also help over 600 employers with advice and guidance on equality and diversity issues, raising awareness of the business benefits of flexible working, and will promote and educate employers around work life balance issues.

Connie Fisher, the former telesales worker who rose to fame in a BBC One talent contest to secure the role of Maria in the West End musical ‘The Sound of Music’, will today take part in a webcast between the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff and the Quay Hotel in Deganwy to highlight how technology can be harnessed to enable businesses and women across Wales to reap the many benefits of flexible working.

Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg, Katy Chamberlain, said:

“Evidence shows there is still much to do to improve equality of opportunity for women in the workplace. By working with businesses to address barriers to progression and encourage the take-up of flexible working, the project will benefit their entire workforce, and will contribute to the retention of talent which, in the current economic climate, is crucial to success.

“Connie Fisher is a fantastic role model as many millions watched her battle the odds to achieve her dreams. She is ideal to launch a project which by bringing together advice, training and technology, will not only benefit thousands of women in some of Wales’ most deprived areas, but will leave a lasting legacy by enabling women and businesses to reach their full potential.”

Agile Nation has also secured the backing of the leading body representing small businesses in Wales. Russell Lawson, spokesperson for the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales said:

“Flexible working practices can reduce costs and help increase productivity and are incredibly powerful tools when it comes to staff retention and motivation. Managing flexible working can be a challenge so by engaging with the Agile Nation project small businesses across Wales can be given an all-important helping hand and could really reap the rewards.”

Jane Hutt, Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, said:

“Agile Nation will mark a step change in the position of women in the economic environment in Wales. Chwarae Teg has a long and successful history of promoting the positive contribution that women make to the Welsh economy and this innovative and exciting project will be a lasting legacy of best practice for Wales.”

For further information about the Agile Nation Project, visit the Chwarae Teg website, www.chwaraeteg.com/agile-nation.