FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon has called on Scotland’s female leaders to offer their guidance to other women as she invited applications to her own mentoring programme.
Women in Scotland aged between 18 and 23 can now apply to be mentored by Ms Sturgeon over the course of a nine-month period.
The First Minister launched the opportunity to coincide with International Women’s Day by visiting Smart Works, an Edinburgh charity supporting women to get back to the workplace.
Ms Sturgeon announced plans to mentor a young woman last month, calling on women in leadership roles to follow her example.
The First Minister said: “International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate women’s achievements and contributions, and remind us that while we’ve made progress, there is still much to do.
“If we are serious about reducing gender inequality and creating the next generation of women leaders, it’s up to us as women to ensure this happens.
“Mentoring a young woman is a highly effective way to enhance her career chances – giving her the confidence and knowledge to strive for her ambitions.
“I repeat my challenge to women leaders in Scotland – if you know a young woman of great potential, become her mentor.
“Her success will be yours as well and you will have both learned from the experience. That’s how it works.”
During the mentoring programme, the successful applicant will have at least four private meetings with the First Minister and the opportunity to work with the media.
The mentoring experience will take place between June 2017 and March 2018.
Interested young women can apply to be mentored via Young Scot. Applications close on May 30.
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