STEM Returners and Meggitt launch new jobs scheme
International aerospace and defence firm Meggitt plc has teamed up with STEM Returners to help engineers get back into work after a career break.
Above:
STEM Returners Index 2021 is available at:
www.stemreturners.com/the-stem-returners-index-2021
Courtesy STEM Returners
Meggitt will offer the STEM Returners programme at their sites in Loughborough and Stevenage, following a successful programme in 2018.
Hampshire based company 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 STEM.
Meggitt is a UK-listed plc and employs over 9,000 globally, with more than 2300 people in the UK.
Meggitt has a 170 year history of innovation in the aerospace, defence and energy markets, with roots that go back to 1850 and the invention of the world’s first altimeter. Providing technologically differentiated systems and products, Meggitt enables aircraft to fly safely and increasingly sustainably; provides armed forces with reliable and highly capable equipment; and, by applying many of the technologies developed within aerospace to the energy market, underpins cleaner energy production.
All placements will be based in manufacturing engineering or design. 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.
Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Meggitt again, following their successful programme in 2018. It is a major step towards changing STEM recruitment practices, which is the key to helping those struggling to return to the sector.
“There is a known shortage of skills across STEM industries so to see a company like Meggitt take advantage of a pool of skilled, dedicated and talented professionals is very positive.”
Simon Deans, HR Director said: “We are very pleased to be running another STEM Returners programme, following the success in 2018. Everyone can make a difference at Meggitt and we are always looking for dynamic and engaged people to join our team and are looking forward to meeting the next group of returners.”
Despite a clear need for highly skilled engineers in the UK, there is a group of talented and educated professionals who are willing and able to take on these roles but are being over looked.
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’ programme 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 Meggitt upon the completion of their 12-week placement. Since STEM Returners launched in 2017, more than 200 candidates have secured a permanent role.