Class Limited, the award-winning wealth accounting technology business, has partnered with STEM Returners to return professionals to work following a career break.
Class will offer a STEM Returners program at their site in Sydney, with roles also open to remote and flexible arrangements.
STEM Returners will source the candidates for the 12-week, fully paid placements, which allow candidates to be re-integrated into an inclusive environment upon their return to the workplace.
Based in Sydney, Class offers cloud-based software solutions for the wealth accounting sector, including accountants, administrators, and financial advisors.
These placements will be aimed at software developers and test automation professionals, with six positions available on the program. Whilst the scheme solves the problem of sourcing talent in sectors that desperately need it, it also has the added benefit of increasing diversity in a host organisation.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Class for a brand-new returners program,” Marcail Roe, Director of STEM Returners Australia, said. “Each industry leader that decides to run a program is another step towards changing outdated recruitment practises for good, which is the key to re-engaging disenfranchised professionals.”
“Having a wide range of talented, diverse people is so important to us at Class. It’s what fuels our innovation and creativity.” Class CTO, Alexis Rouch, said. “We are proud of our inclusive culture and how we’re beating the industry averages, for example, on female representation in our Tech team. The world is diverse – Tech should be also. We are excited to work with the STEM Returners program and look forward to welcoming a new pool of talented people into our business.”
Despite a clear need for highly skilled STEM professionals in Australia, there is a group of talented and educated professionals who are willing and able to take on these roles but are being overlooked.
In STEM Returners’ annual survey – The STEM Returners Index – 61% of STEM professionals on a career break say they were finding the process of attempting to return to work either difficult or very difficult, and 36% of returners have felt bias in the recruitment process has been a barrier to them personally returning to their career.
STEM Returners’ program aims to eliminate these barriers, by giving candidates real work experience and mentoring during their placement and helping them to seamlessly adjust to life back in work.
Successful candidates may be offered full-time positions at Class upon the completion of their 12-week placement. Since STEM Returners launched in 2017, more than 200 candidates have secured a permanent role.