Avove launch their second STEM Returners programme following a successful first year
As a leading infrastructure and engineering services provider, we are always looking for talented individuals to join our growing team. It is for this reason, that we’ve decided to partner with STEM Returners for a second year, launching a programme to help engineers return to the utilities sector.
Helping candidates feel ready and confident
The programme, which is designed to give people the ‘confidence to take the leap’ and restart their careers was launched for the second time on International Women in Engineering Day, and will be delivered at our sites in Durham, Warrington, Derby and Telford.
It follows last year’s inaugural programme, which successfully supported people back into the workplace after taking time out. Amongst those we supported was Andrea Calderon, who returned to work after a two-year break, utilising her Civil Engineering degree, Business Finance MBA and eight years of experience to join our team as a Structural Engineer.
During Andrea’s search, she came across our STEM Returners programme, which matched her with the position and allowed her to quickly settle into the team, leading to her being offered a permanent position after enjoying the initial experience.
This new programme is open to anyone with a background in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and who is on a career break. STEM Returners will source the candidates and provide support and advice, career coaching and mentoring, to help candidates feel ready and confident to return to work. We are delighted that the success of last year’s programme has led to the reignition of this partnership and we look forward to welcoming many more candidates in the coming months!
Removing the barriers preventing future talent from resuming their careers
Discussing the importance of this second programme, Becky Kimber, People Director at Avove, commented:
“Partnering with STEM Returners is core to our aim of creating a working environment where everyone can thrive. We are delighted to launch this exciting programme, which aligns with our strategy to continue attracting a diverse and inclusive range of candidates into Avove and the sector.
“We are passionate about giving people the opportunity to return to the workplace as we believe they can add real value to our business. We want to remove any barriers preventing future talent from resuming their STEM careers, together with training for STEM employers to create more supported routes back to work.”
Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, added:
“We are very proud to continue our partnership with Avove Utilities with the launch of this new programme.
Despite a well-known skills shortage in the UK engineering industry, and a clear need for people, professionals who have had a career break are often shut out of the recruitment process. Our programme gives these talented people the chance to demonstrate their skills in a supported environment.”
Providing a pathway for growth and development
STEM Returners programmes give candidates real work experience and mentoring during their placement, as well as supporting them to adjust to life back in work. Given our commitment to increasing the diversity of our workforce, this partnership will provide a pathway to attract a wider and highly skilled talent pool.
Check out a real-life story from STEM Returner and Structural Engineer at Avove, Andrea, to find out more about our STEM Returners programme.