E.ON and STEM Returners launch second programme to support more professionals back to work after a career break

E.ON, one of The Sunday Times’ top 10 best places to work, will host its second STEM Returners programme for people wishing to join the company on a 12-week placement. Each placement will include hybrid working, between the candidate’s home and one of E.ON’s sites, with roles available including those in engineering and technology.

E.ON is working with STEM Returners who will source the candidates and provide career coaching and mentoring. Returners may be offered the opportunity to become permanent E.ON employees at the end of the programme.

Helen Bradbury, Chief People Officer at E.ON, said: “Our energy future calls for new skills and innovation. By working with STEM Returners, we’re able to connect with experienced talent and provide opportunities for those who are struggling to get back into purposeful roles that use their talent and skills, supporting our ambition to make new energy work for everyone.

“At E.ON, we’re committed to building and fostering an inclusive workplace where all our colleagues feel a sense of belonging, where they can thrive and do great work.”

The partnership follows a successful inaugural programme together last year, which helped people return to work after a career break, including Nicola Kennedy, who is now a Technical Produce Engineer and a permanent E.ON employee.

Nicola said: “On paper, I was qualified for all the jobs I was applying for – I knew I had the right experience – but I couldn’t work out why I wasn’t getting anywhere. I hadn’t had a job interview for 10 years, but STEM Returners supported me through it all.”

Research from STEM Returners (The STEM Returners Index) shows the challenges people face when trying to return to work following a career break, with recruitment bias shown to be the main barrier to entry. It also shows that women trying to return to the industry are more likely to experience recruitment bias than men.

The 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.

Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, said: “There is a misconception that a career break leads to a deterioration of skills, but that could not be further from the truth. As an industry, we need to do more to break down the barriers that prevent talented individuals from contributing to our sector, which is why we are delighted to launch our second programme with E.ON. Only by working together can we help more professionals on a career break return to work and fill the skills gaps that are so evident across the sector.”

Since STEM Returners first launched in 2017, nearly 600 candidates have joined programmes across the UK. To view STEM Returners’ opportunities, visit stemreturners.com/placements