Rockwool steps up support for women's career progression : Ascent program teaches leadership and management skills

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain how insulation‐manufacturer Rockwool has stepped up its efforts to get more women into senior manufacturing jobs by signing up for a program to help female production workers climb the management ladder. Design/methodology/approach – Details the reasons for the program, the form it takes and the results it has achieved. Findings – Reveals that ten women from Rockwool have earned accredited Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) qualifications to help them to climb the career ladder, and two have since been promoted, after taking part in Agile Nation Ascent, which is run by the women's economic‐development body, Chwarae Teg, to boost women's confidence, unlock their management talents and provide them with a recognized qualification. Practical implications – Explains that Agile Nation also supports employers, through its Evolve program, to implement modern workforce practices such as flexible working and work‐life balance. Social implications – Explains that the Evolve program also works with educators to challenge gender stereotyping in schools, which often leads to occupational segregation in later life. Originality/value – Details an interesting set of initiatives designed to help women develop their careers.