Smart Works CEO Anna Hemings on Empowering Women Into Work, Tackling Job Market Barriers and Driving Greater Gender Equality

What does it take to help thousands of women secure employment each year? Anna Hemings, Chief Executive of Smart Works, joins to share how this UK charity provides unemployed women with the coaching, clothing and confidence needed to transform their career prospects.

We explore:

• How Smart Works supports 10,000 women annually with interview preparation, career coaching and professional outfits

• Insights from the Smart Works Unemployment Index, an annual report examining the barriers women face when seeking work

• The biggest challenges women face in today’s labor market, from AI screening to childcare costs and workplace inequality

• What employers and policymakers can do to remove barriers and create fairer opportunities

• Smart Works’ growth strategy and why volunteer power and fashion industry partnerships are central to its impact

This episode shines a light on practical solutions that empower women, strengthen communities and benefit the wider economy.

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