Career break challenge

I was interested to read about the foresightedness of the Simons Group. A 50:50 male-to-female staff ratio by 2011 is an excellent strategy and I wish them the best of luck. As a contracts manager and a woman I’ve had positive and derogatory comments from male clients, but I can categorically say that a team with both men and women on it works well.

But what about those taking a career break to raise a family? As a mother of three young children, I’m enjoying mediating in a different sort of construction activity (using plastic bricks instead of concrete and steel) but I do wonder, when I want to return to work, whether my skills will be thought current enough. Other professions provide short refresher courses for people returning to work. I’ve never seen these in construction, but they would encourage women back to fill the skills gap and to help all employers realise a 50:50 goal. There is an experienced group of women out there waiting for an opportunity to return to their chosen career.