Leonardo launches second round of scheme to help engineers return to work after a career break
Building on the success of the first scheme launched in 2020, aerospace engineering company Leonardo has launched its second STEM Returners programme in Edinburgh to help engineers return to work after a career break.
The new 12-week programme in Leonardo’s UK electronics business will include roles of Mechanical Engineer, Laser/Optical Engineer and Software Developer.
Rachel Ruxton, Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Leonardo said:
“Applying for a new role after a career break can be daunting, and it’s tough to find opportunities that work for you, your circumstances and your experience. At Leonardo, we value the individual and the experience they can bring, not only from their past professional career, but also in terms of the transferrable skills they’ve gathered through their life experiences. It’s these experiences that help us to think and work more inclusively. STEM Returners is a fantastic partner for Leonardo, ensuring we continue to bring skilled talent to our business.”
Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our strong partnership with Leonardo to return highly skilled people back into the industry they love.
“Industry leaders need to do more to improve diversity and inclusion across the industry, just like Leonardo are doing. Only by working together to create a supportive and inclusive environment where returners can really thrive, will we deal with the well-known skills shortage in the UK engineering industry.”
The fully paid placements aim to return or transfer experienced engineers back into industry following a career break, allowing candidates to be reintegrated into an inclusive environment.
The scheme has launched at the same time as STEM Returners, which is based near Southampton, release the results of their annual survey, which asked more than 1,000 STEM professionals on a career break a range of questions to understand their experiences of trying to re-enter the STEM sector.
Published on International Women in Engineering Day (23 June), the STEM Returners Index 2022 showed bias in the recruitment process prevents engineers who have had a career break return to employment.
It also revealed that the pool of STEM professionals attempting to return to industry is significantly more diverse than the average STEM organisation.
Those attempting to return to work are 46% female and 44% from ethnic minority groups, compared to 14% female and 9% from ethnic minority groups working in industry.
STEM Returners has helped more than 260 engineers across the UK since it began in 2017.
View STEM Returners opportunities with Leonardo here Returner Placements – STEM Returners