Unemployed women are being given the chance to get back to work as part of a new initiative.

The Work for Women programme was launched this week with the aim of helping women in Barnet to secure financial independence.

The programme is run by TrainE-TraidE, a group funded by Barnet  Borough Council’s Big Society Innovation Bank award and includes sessions in employability skills as well as work experience in a professional environment.

Lisa Ronson, trustee of TrainE-TraidE and commercial director at Heron International, said: “Empowering women to build the confidence they need to achieve their goals is something I am passionate about.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the delegates developing their skills and to welcoming some of them at Heron International for their work placements.”

Also in attendance at the launch on Tuesday were representatives of Jewish Care, who have provided several work placements.

Thirty women have been signed up to the programme, including some in their 20s and a group of women in their 60s.

Some of the participants are highly qualified with Masters degrees but have not worked in more than a decade, while others have no qualifications beyond GCSEs and need help to update their skills. Others have young children at home and have never worked before.

All of the women have been matched with a mentor who will offer them one-to-one support and guidance.

Rachel Sinclair, who is taking part in the programme, said: “I’m so impressed with the way TrainE-TraidE have made this programme happen for us.

“I’m really looking forward to the CV writing and interview workshops.”