STEM Returners signs Tech Talent Charter to boost the sector’s talent pipeline

Southampton-based STEM Returners, a pioneering organisation facilitating career comebacks for STEM professionals, has joined the national Tech Talent Charter in a strategic move to address the UK’s pressing tech talent and diversity challenges.

Since its inception in 2017, STEM Returners has successfully guided more than 450 seasoned professionals back into the fold of the technology, science, and engineering sectors.

This latest move sees the organisation join forces with over 700 other signatories of the Tech Talent Charter, a collective committed to fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem in the UK.

The UK tech sector faces a stark reality: an estimated 52,000 unfilled IT positions annually, coupled with a persistent gender gap, with women comprising just 20% of the current workforce.

STEM Returners tackles these challenges head-on by offering customised 12-week paid returnships within leading tech firms.

These immersive placements provide real-world experience, targeted mentorship, and comprehensive reintegration support, empowering experienced professionals to seamlessly re-enter the workforce after career breaks.

“With the UK tech skills and gender gap widening, there is no better time to sign up to the Tech Talent Charter,” said Natalie Desty, Founder and director of STEM Returners.

“The importance of unlocking the potential of an inclusive and diverse tech sector cannot be underestimated, and we love the Tech Talent Charter’s action-led engagement based on measurable insights and industry commitment. Collaboration is really important to STEM Returners and the Tech Talent Charter is something we really believe in.

“We are delighted to be lending our voice and expertise to driving diversity and inclusion within tech and supporting talented and dedicated returners back into the industry. We look forward to working with the other organisations who have signed up to the Charter.

“Only by working together, will we make a positive difference for those returning to the tech industry after a career break and to improve representation across the sector.”

Created in 2015 through collective action, the Charter’s goal is for the UK tech ecosystem to be a diverse and inclusive community where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued for their contributions.

CEO Debbie Forster, MBE, said: ”The importance of greater diversity and inclusion in tech is, thankfully, no longer up for debate. Sectors and organisations now need to work together to shift the dial – and this will happen faster if we pool our successes, failures, and key learnings to bring about real structural change.

“No group can do it alone, which is why we’re asking organisations to join our 700+ Signatories who are working together to drive diversity and inclusion in tech.”

• https://www.stemreturners.com/

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