STEM Returners aims to return or transfer experienced engineers back into industry following a career break. The fully-paid placements act as a ‘returnship’, allowing candidates to be re-integrated into an inclusive environment upon their return to STEM.
There is a well-known skills shortage in the UK engineering industry, but despite a clear need for people, professionals who have had a career break are often overlooked. Annual research from STEM Returners has revealed the key barrier of people returning to STEM after a career break is the perception of recruiters and hiring managers that a CV gap automatically equates to a deterioration of skills. STEM Returners’ programme aims to eliminate barriers by giving candidates real work experience and mentoring during their placement and helping them to seamlessly adjust to life back in work.
Amey Consulting will offer a STEM Returners programme within its consultancy & design and advisory & analytics teams across England, Scotland and Wales. Working with clients such as National Highways, Network Rail, Transport for Wales and many local authorities, the consultancy drives improvements across the UK's critical national infrastructure, creating a positive impact on society.
Laura Simarro, people director at Amey Consulting, said: “The UK infrastructure industry is facing an increasingly diverse range of opportunities and challenges. To continue to innovate and find solutions to our clients’ problems, we need an increasingly diverse set of skills and perspectives. By investing in STEM Returners, Amey Consulting can welcome passionate and experienced people back into a fulfilling career, designing and maintaining the nation’s strategic assets. Once on board, Amey Consulting can offer candidates a hybrid and flexible working policy to support a healthy work life balance now and into the future.”
Successful candidates may be offered full-time positions at Amey Consulting upon the completion of their 12-week placement. Since STEM Returners launched in 2017, more than 200 STEM Returner candidates have joined programmes across the UK.