2.5 Conduct market research to understand barriers and opportunities for women in the labor market
Content
Description of Best Practices
Conduct market research in the local or national labor market to better understand the barriers that women and other underrepresented social groups experience on their path to studying and pursuing a career in lucrative industries
Analyze societal and educational gaps that might make it difficult to achieve the company’s recruitment targets and develop an outreach plan to address these gaps
Based on the results of the research, consider how to alleviate barriers, and reach more women and underrepresented social groups to create a more inclusive talent pool
Identify the best communications channels to reach these groups based on the research findings
Challenges of Implementation
Financial and human resources to conduct such types of market research
Transparency and willingness of people to participate in the research
What Success Looks Like
Specific barriers and opportunities to creating a more inclusive talent pool are identified based on the cultural and sectoral context in which the company operates
Improved strategy for recruiting and hiring from an inclusive talent pool that is informed by the unique challenges in the given labor market
Resources and Tools
Guide: Engendering Industries: Using Surveys to Advance Workforce Gender Equality (USAID)
Study: Gender Equality Study of the El Salvadoran Labor Market (in Spanish) (DELSUR)
Study: Women in Labour Markets: Measuring Progress and Identifying Challenges (ILO)
Guide: Ensuring Demand-Driven Youth Training Programs: How to Conduct an Effective Labor Market Assessment (International Youth Foundation)