Thames Water launches new jobs programme to help people return to work after a career break
Thames Water has announced a new partnership with STEM Returners to help more professionals return to work after a career break.
Thames Water will host a returners programme at their sites in Reading and Hampton, near Richmond, where roles will include Modelling & Insights Specialists and Engineers.
Research from STEM Returners (STEM Returners Index) has found that many people face challenges when returning to work following a career break, with recruitment bias against a lack of recent experience as well as gender, age and race as the main barriers to entry. It also highlighted that women are more likely to experience recruitment bias than men when trying to return to the industry.
The 12-week, paid, STEM Returners programme aims to eliminate these barriers by giving candidates real work experience and mentoring during their placement, as well as supporting them to adjust to life back in work.
STEM Returners will source the candidates and provide career coaching and mentoring throughout the paid placement. At the end of the programme, returners may be offered the opportunity to become permanent Thames Water employees. Since STEM Returners first launched in 2017, 600 candidates have joined programmes across the UK.
Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, explained: “We are very proud to enter this new partnership with Thames Water to return highly skilled people back into work and address the well-known skills shortage across the STEM sector. But despite a clear need for people, professionals who have had a career break are often overlooked. We must work together to make vital changes in recruitment practices and help those finding it challenging to return to the sector.”
Gosia Dworska, Head of Emerging Talent & Skills at Thames Water explained: “The launch of the STEM Returners programme is another proactive step Thames Water is taking to build a future-ready skills pipeline. By tapping into local talent, including those returning to STEM careers, we are creating a solid foundation of skills for today and the future.”
