Nov 09, 2013 09:02 AM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto has introduced a program for educated homemakers who have quit their professional life to take care of children and want to rejoin the workforce after an extended period of absence.

The Back to Work program over three months covers a wide range of topics - from refreshing management skills to training in new online tools. The program also helps candidates gain confidence; interact with senior executives, potential mentors and employers and re-establish their professional network.

Senior management consultant Sarah Luke said that she found it difficult to restart her professional life.

"I've been off for seven years," Luke told cbc.ca. "For the last two years, since the birth of my third child, I've been thinking of getting going again. But after going through a couple of interviews I realized how rusty I was feeling. It makes you re-evaluate. You think, 'Maybe I'm not relevant anymore.' So this program is for me, to help me get back in the game."

Around 30 women have been enrolled in the program this year.  

"I've been out of the workforce for nine years,raising my three beautiful children, and I feel like now it's time to concentrate on me for a little bit," electrical engineer Anika Mahmud told cbc.ca. "I'm nervous about being able to get back into adult language - I've been speaking kid language for nine years. I hope that I don't end up stalling in an adult interaction, or an important meeting."

Marina Maroumian, a banking and foreign aid consultant said that being at home feels like being away from the routine. She wants to get back to work and feel proud.

"I was so happy when I worked, when I could see results," Maroumian told cbc.ca. "I want to use my potential to the fullest. I missed that a lot - almost every day. But I also thought it was important to be with my family for that time."

Maroumian admitted that resuming work life is an intimidating prospect.

"I'm a little bit scared because with the new technology I am little behind. But I have the skills. I know I can do the work."

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