Access to education is key to addressing career inequality. Our VP of Enterprise Sales, Caroline Evans shares her thoughts on how access to education is the most important tool to empower women in the workplace.
As businesses worldwide celebrate International Women’s Day, we all recognise the time for rhetoric has long passed and we need to take meaningful action instead.
One of the most powerful, and achievable, ways companies can empower women and under-represented groups across the workforce, is by ensuring access to education and continuous learning opportunities.
Women still bear a disproportionate share of caring responsibilities. They also, statistically, work more hours for less pay. Finding time to invest in learning and professional development to drive career progression in this context may seem like a pipe dream, and yet it is the very thing that can empower women to break out of this economic inequality and move closer towards economic gender equality.
The other side of this is that learning is the key to turning potential into capability, and breaking down barriers to learning can, through empowering talent and accessing potential, make a genuine difference to your organisation’s bottom line.
The data is clear: companies with diverse leadership, particularly those with women in executive roles, consistently outperform their competitors. According to a McKinsey & Company study, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability. Additionally, a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report found that companies with above-average diversity in their management teams generate 19% more revenue from innovation.
This shows that when businesses invest in women, they don’t just create a more inclusive workforce – they unlock new levels of growth and profitability.
Working closely with our B2B customers, our VP of Enterprise Sales Caroline, understands the importance of investing in learning and development. Here, she explains how businesses can use education to unlock the potential in their female employees.
Why education is the most powerful tool for workplace empowerment
Despite the clear business benefits, many women still face systemic barriers to career advancement. A lack of access to education, training, and mentorship limits their opportunities to step into leadership roles.
At FutureLearn, we’ve seen first-hand how businesses can bridge this gap using education. Here’s why:
- Skills development fuels career growth: Research from the World Economic Forum shows that women are underrepresented in high-paying, high-growth fields like technology, finance, and leadership roles. Upskilling and professional development help women build the expertise needed to advance in these industries.
- Leadership training closes the gender gap: Another report by McKinsey & Company found that women make up only 29% of C-suite positions. Providing leadership training and mentorship can accelerate the promotion of female employees into executive roles.
- Education drives business innovation: The same BCG study on diversity and innovation found that companies with more women in leadership produce more creative and effective solutions – a direct result of having a broader range of perspectives and problem-solving approaches.
How businesses can take action
For those in charge of talent development in their business, International Women’s Day is more than just an opportunity to celebrate and reflect – it’s a chance to commit to real change. Here’s how your business can invest in female employees and create a stronger, more profitable company:
- Provide ongoing learning opportunities – offer professional development to help female employees expand their skill sets. At FutureLearn, we tailor our online learning and development solutions to ensure your employees get the skills they need to succeed. It also serves as a perk for your business to help you attract and retain talent.
- Implement leadership training and mentorship – establish mentorship programmes that connect junior female employees with experienced executives who can guide their career paths.
- Close the pay and opportunity gap – Conduct regular pay audits and ensure that the promotion criteria is transparent and equitable.
- Foster an inclusive workplace culture – Support flexible work policies, parental leave, and employee resource groups to create a workplace where women can thrive.
A business case for investing in women
Education is not just a tool for personal empowerment – it’s a strategic advantage for businesses. When companies prioritise access to education for their female employees, they gain a more skilled workforce, stronger leadership, and increased profitability.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s go beyond conversation and take action. The smartest investment a business can make is in the education and development of its female workforce. Because when women rise, businesses rise with them.
Are you ready to invest in the future of your business? Start by investing in the women who will lead it. Get in touch with us today about our tailored learning and development solutions.
View the original article and our Inspiration here