IN4 to train 1000 women for data roles

A new initiative has been launched to empower women returning to the workforce by equipping them with sought-after skills for high-demand roles.

Salford-based IN4 Group has rolled out the Power of MIND (Mums in Data) Programme to train and place 1000 career break mums and female carers into skilled data roles by the end of 2025, offering “great careers without compromising their children or caring responsibilities”.

The free programme will work with 25 UK local authorities, targeting upskilling 40 women per community and connecting them with employers such as housing associations, the NHS and local councils.

By addressing the barriers women face when balancing careers and caregiving, Mums in Data provides flexible, hybrid learning and professional qualifications in data governance.

The initiative seeks to tackle the UK's acute shortage of skilled data workers, where men outnumber women 4 to 1 in the industry, at a time when businesses are struggling to recruit people with data skills.

A recent Government report found nearly 48 per cent of businesses in the UK were recruiting for data roles, with over 234,000 data roles to be filled.

Almost half of businesses (46 per cent) struggled to recruit for roles that require data skills.

Mo Isap, chief executive of IN4 Group, said: “As the Government has acknowledged to get Britain growing again, we’ve got to get Britain working again.

“What is needed is a targeted, hyper local approach which helps specific groups, such as mums and carers, get back into the workforce, and not just rely on job centres. 

“The inspiration for The Power of Mind (Mums in Data) has come from the success we’ve had with career break mums from some of our other Skills City programmes with life transforming impact; this has led me to create a more deliberate programme for stay-at-home mums and female carers, ensuring they can have great careers without compromising their children or caring responsibilities.

“The mission of the programme is to meet the needs of the economy without compromising the responsibilities of society.”

The first cohort launches in December 2024 in Blackburn, Lancashire, a region with high economic inactivity, as part of IN4 Group’s mission to deliver economic and social impact through inclusive technology careers.

Xanthe Sharp, apprentice business analyst (and mother of two), who completed a Cloud Analytics Bootcamp with IN4, added: “Embarking on a new career has been transformative for my life.

“I’ve got confidence and it’s made a big difference to my family. My current role is 100 per cent working from home; it fits in really well with the school runs and allows me to be there when the children are at home.

“The advice I’d give other mums thinking about whether to take this step is just go for it. You’ll have something amazing on your CV and will learn new skills.”

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