Against a national backdrop of women losing jobs at a rate higher then men due to COVID-19, Rung for Women and Maryville University launched a new program to reskill working women. The practice-based training credentials will prepare women for high-demand, middle-skill careers that offer a family-sustaining wage.
The initiative will launch with a Customer Service training program, offering a fast, flexible credential that will ensure students are prepared with the skills they need to enter into a career in customer service, banking or human resources. Commerce Bank, Bank of America, Enterprise Holdings and others served in an advisory role to ensure the program meets the requirements of real-world positions.
While women are learning specific technical aspects of how to engage with customers, they will also gain transferable professional skills, designed to ensure a strong foundation upon which they can build a career past the entry-level job, and ascend the rungs of the career and economic ladder.
With its robust online education and workforce development programs, Maryville University was the best partner to build out this new employer-responsive model. “Rung is thrilled to have found a like-minded partner in Maryville University that shares our vision of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to find their individualized pathway to a family-sustaining salary,” said Leslie Gill, President of Rung for Women. “Together, we are matching employer needs with women who can meet the demands of a growing economy.”
WOMEN ARE READY FOR THE NEW ECONOMY
Women ended 2020 with 5.4 million fewer jobs than they had in February, before the pandemic began.
The pandemic forced many women to choose between working and caring for their children at home, as day cares closed and schools went virtual.
Among women, Latinas have the highest unemployment rate followed by Black women.
A labor market analysis of the region’s employers identified talent gaps
in customer service, technology and health care.
When we invest in women, we know it’s not a singular investment but a ripple effect. It changes the trajectory of their lives, their children’s lives and their families’ lives for generations to come.