Programme launched to help STEM professionals return to work after a career break

In collaboration with STEM Returners, we’ve launched a second return-to-work programme to help #STEM professionals return to work after taking a career break.

The 12-week paid placement programme aims to help seven individuals who are struggling to return to their career through standard recruitment channels, to access training and employment opportunities in the energy sector.

The STEM Returners programme

Our first programme was launched last year as part of our Grid for Good ‘Accelerate’ initiative and helped five people back to industry - including Tiffany Orton, who took a career break to relocate from London to Warwickshire to raise a family.

With 20 years of valuable experience in commercial property, Tiffany still found it a challenge when trying to return to her career. She completed the STEM Returners programme and has now accepted a permanent position as a senior surveyor with National Grid Ventures.

Tiffany said: “STEM Returners prised the door open for me and has given me confidence in my skill set. National Grid has been extremely supportive, giving me time to find my feet, as well as investing further training, which has helped to expand my professional skills. It’s been a great opportunity.”

Janet Morrow, Head of Responsible Business at National Grid, said “We are committed to improving the diversity and social mobility of our workforce across the communities in which we operate and serve.

“The partnership with STEM Returners has provided an opportunity to reach skilled individuals who are keen to re-join the sector, allowing us to harness their skills and experiences.?We already know that the transition to net zero will create thousands of green jobs, which is why programmes such as STEM Returners are so important.”

Breaking the barriers to re-entry into STEM careers

The STEM Returners project facilitates paid short-term employment placements for professionals returning to work after a career break. This helps highly qualified and experienced STEM professionals get back into the workplace by collaborating with employers who share the common objective of increasing diversity in STEM and creating a sector where everyone feels valued, supported and included.

51% of STEM professionals on a career break say they find attempting to return to work difficult

Annual research from STEM Returners (The STEM Returners Index) shows the challenges people who have had career breaks face when trying to return, with recruitment bias being the main barrier to entry. More than half (51%) of STEM professionals on a career break said they are finding the process of attempting to return to work either difficult or very difficult and 38% of participants said they felt bias because of a lack of recent experience.

Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, said: “The number of green energy roles is growing across the sector and there is a hidden workforce that can help fill those roles but are often overlooked.

“People who have a had a career break face an uphill battle to return to the industry – there is a misconception that a gap on your CV leads to a deterioration of skills, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many returners keep themselves updated with developments in their industry and have developed transferable skills that can benefit their employers.

“We are very proud to be continuing our partnership with National Grid to provide an inclusive platform to bring professionals back to the industry and bridge the skills gap.”

Returning to STEM careers: facts and figures

• 100% of participants on the first National Grid STEM Returners programme secured a permanent position after completing the programme.
• To date, the STEM Returners programme has helped 400 professionals specialising in over 20 STEM disciplines back to work, with 96% securing a permanent position within their host organisation.
• 100% of the companies who took part in a programme have successfully recruited returners as a result.

The pool of professionals looking to return to industry in 2023 are as diverse, experienced and qualified as ever:*

• 45% are female
• 39% are from a minority ethnic background
• 65% have a degree, masters or doctorate
• 44% had more than five years of experience in their field before taking a career break.

> Find out more about National Grid’s STEM Returners programme

*Figures from The STEM Returners Index 2023 report