Employment charity TrainE-TraidE has received a £35,000 grant from Barnet Council to boost its new Back to Work for Women programme, seen as a model for other ethnic minorities looking to help women back to the workplace.

Chief executive Shraga Zaltzman said: “Like a lot of ethnic minority groups, Jewish women face cultural barriers that come from traditional home values and looking after the family. But what is positive and interesting about the community is that it is a lot easier to harness human capital. Everyone knows someone and it is a lot easier to network and find mentors who will help women get back into business.”

Senior business figures have praised the programme, which will include CV workshops and a mentoring scheme for women of all ages.

TrainE-TraidE was one of five organisations awarded a grant from the 38 applications for the council’s Big Society Innovation Bank scheme. “This programme seeks to answer the demand from the many women in our community who need to get back into work and are finding it daunting and difficult,” Mr Zaltzman added.

“It will give these women the skills, confidence, experience and networking opportunities. TrainE-TraidE is helping over 2,000 people per year and this public recognition from Barnet Council will enable us to expand our provision and help more people into work.”