Jacobs has increased their collaboration with STEM Returners to fill 50 roles across the UK with career break returners
Career break returners will be encouraged to seek positions with Jacobs, as the technical professional services firm expands their collaboration with STEM Returners.
The UK has an estimated shortfall of over 173,000 workers in STEM-related jobs, with an average of 10 unfilled roles per business costing the economy £1.5bn each year.
STEM Returners aims to bring skilled workers back into employment after career breaks and has enjoyed multiple collaborations across the construction sector.
Jacobs has pledged to fill 50 “returnships”
STEM Returners will source experienced engineering and project management professionals for 12-week long, fully-paid placements.
These ”returnships” allow candidates to refresh their skills and gain valuable experience that can help them transition back into the workforce full time.
The Jacobs roles will be available across London, Bristol, Gloucester, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow.
“STEM Returners enables us to bring highly talented individuals back into the workplace, with strong technical skills and broader life experiences. This brings new diversity of thought and helps us create innovative solutions for our clients,” said Jacobs’ inclusion & diversity director Europe, Melissa Godfray.
“In February, we augmented our 40:40:20 gender balance commitment (40% men, 40% women and 20% open to any gender) to specifically include leadership positions. STEM Returners will help us increase diverse talent in mid-senior level positions and enhances Jacobs’ leading-edge approach to driving inclusion and diversity.”
One career break returner came back after 12 years of childcare
Karen McCormack is now a project manager after completing the program in 2021.
She took a career break to look after her baby and spent 12 years away from the industry. Despite years of international engineering experience in places like Scotland, Norway and Asia, she found it challenging to get back into the workforce.
“I would hear absolutely nothing back, not even a rejection, just nothing at all,” Karen explained. “To say it was disheartening is an understatement. But I saw in STEM Returners the possibility of a lifeline and the team were hugely supportive. I have had the opportunity to take part in several training courses designed to reskill or upskill.”
Career break returners could help resolve the skills shortage
STEM Returners director Natalie Desty added: “Only by partnering with industry leaders like Jacobs will we make vital changes in STEM recruitment practices, to help those who are finding it challenging to return to the sector, reduce the skills gap and improve inclusion and diversity.”
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