Return-to-work support for career breakers targets energy infrastructure sector
STEM Returners will coach and mentor the first cohort to join Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and return-to-work specialists STEM Returners have partnered on a job programme designed to support highly-qualified STEM professionals who have a career gap on their CV to return to the industry in a supported environment.
STEM Returners research suggests that individuals who have taken a break from their careers are finding it harder than ever to return to STEM roles. The main barriers cited are lack of recent experience, gender, age and race.
At a time when the UK is calling out for skilled individuals in construction and infrastructure in particular, the research also reveals that the difficulty in landing a role is damaging people’s self-confidence, with some individuals even contemplating leaving STEM altogether.
STEM Returners’ role in the new partnership is to provide the candidates it has sourced with real-work experience at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure’s Motherwell, Scotland-based energy business and other UK locations, and to coach and mentor them throughout the paid placement.
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure says that the returners employed in its commercial team may be offered a permanent role at the end of the programme.
‘With major investment accelerating across the UK’s National Grid and a growing pipeline of work, addressing the sector’s skills gap has never been more important,’ says Peter Kirk, Managing Director – Energy at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.
‘People with STEM backgrounds bring valuable expertise, and we’re committed to helping them return to the work they enjoy, by creating opportunities, supporting them to refresh their skills, and helping rebuild the confidence they need to thrive once again.’
