Recruitment
Published: March 8, 2024 | Updated: 8th March 2024
Global tech giant Thales has once again teamed up with Hampshire’s own STEM Returners to help engineers get back to work after a break.
Thales, which serves sectors including defence, aerospace, and space, will provide a 12-week STEM Returners programme at its sites in Cheadle, Crawley and Templecombe for up to ten people.
Based near Southampton, STEM Returners was founded by Natalie Desty in 2017 after she identified the challenges people face when trying to return to work.
She said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with Thales in the UK, who share in our commitment to increase equality in STEM and improve the way people who are on a career break return to work.
“There’s a misconception that a career break leads to a deterioration of skills, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Only by working together will we make vital changes in recruitment practices to help those who are finding it challenging to return to the sector.”
Andrew Malone, engineering director at Thales in the UK, added that the STEM Returners programme has allowed the business to tap into ‘a previously hidden pool of talent’.
“We would love for STEM returners to be part of our team as we deliver our highly complex systems, products and services to our clients, building a future we can all trust.”
The tie-up with Thales UK follows a pilot back in 2022, which saw Hayley Holguin ultimately secure a position as a systems engineer.
After seven years in the aviation industry and having earned a degree in mechanical and power plant systems, she took redundancy during the pandemic and found it difficult to source a new engineering role.
“It can be daunting going to a new job – but even more so after some time away, you worry if you’ll remember everything, if you’re still able to work at the standard you did before and how you’ll adjust to the work environment again.
“When I saw the ad for STEM Returners, I felt a sense of relief because it is something for people specifically in that situation so there is the support and understanding on both sides.”
Annual research from The STEM Returners Index has shown that recruitment bias is the main barrier to returning to work. It also shows women trying to return to industry are more likely to experience recruitment bias than men.
Alongside experience gained from the placement, the STEM Returners project supports candidates in the form of advice, career coaching, networking opportunities and mentoring.
Candidates also have the opportunity to restart their career in a permanent position at the end of the programme.
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