Helping women get back to work

Latitude, a new division of The Paranet Group for women working in non-traditional roles in manufacturing, wants to help women who have been out of the workforce get back to work.

The group has formed a community outreach program named Passages, to help stay-at-home moms get back to work once their kids start school, said Linda Kiedrowski, president of The Paranet Group.

“Many of us (Latitude members) have been there,” she said. “We can help them explore their real talents, rather than go to work at the Macy’s shoe department.”

Because many stay-at-home moms haven’t been in the workforce for five to six years, they might feel that their computer and other technology skills haven’t kept pace, Kiedrowski said. Part of Latitude’s mission is to help the women upgrade their technical and personal skills.

The group’s members are also working in highly technical positions and can help bring stay-at-home moms up to speed on the expectations of the working world.

“We have our network that we can send them to, who can tell them what the world is like today,” Kiedrowski said. “They can also tell them what to ask for (in an interview) and what salaries are like.”

Debra Kessler, chief financial officer at Milwaukee-based Palermo Villa Inc., and a member of Latitude, said the Passages program will be able to draw on the expertise and experiences of Latitude members.

“We can be available as a resource, talk about ideas, be proponents to their cause, refer them to available positions, review their resume and tell them what to expect,” Kessler said. “And our mentoring role, depending on their skills, can be looking at their resume, recommending which skills they need to work on and networking.”

Women who use Passages to help them re-enter the workplace also will be coached on interviewing, advised on what to wear to interviews and work, and etiquette, Kiedrowski said. Much of that advice will come from SYATI, the leadership development arm of The Paranet Group, she said.

Passages will start working with women looking to re-enter the workforce on May 1. Latitude members and Kiedrowski hope to attract women to the group through word-of-mouth referrals.

“We’ll market it through our own networks – churches and schools,” Kiedrowski said. “And we’ll leave (flyers) on bulletin boards.”

For information about Passages, call Kiedrowski at (262) 796-2560.

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