The independent UK defence contractor will offer a 12-week paid placement programme at their sites in Portland and Chertsey. Roles will include systems, software, mechanical and electronics design.
STEM Retuners will source the candidates for the programme, which acts as a ‘returnship’, allowing candidates to be re-integrated into an inclusive environment upon their return to STEM. Candidates will also receive mentoring and career coaching.
Annual 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 women trying to return to industry are more likely to experience recruitment bias than men.
STEM Returners’ programmes aim to eliminate these barriers by giving candidates real work experience and mentoring during their placement, as well as supporting them to seamlessly adjust to life back in work.
Drumgrange specialises in the design, development, integration and through-life support of communications and electronic systems.
Ronnie Brady-Docker, talent resourcer at Drumgrange, said; “We are proud to participate as an employer in the STEM Returners Programme to help address the critical shortfall of engineers and technicians in the UK and cannot wait to welcome those people who wish to be reintroduced into the world of engineering through a staged approach to reinvigorate and update their hard-won experience and skills.”
Natalie Desty, director of STEM Returners said: “We are delighted to be working with Drumgrange, who share in our commitment to increase equity in STEM and improve the way people who are on a career break return to work.
“There is a misconception that a career break leads to a deterioration of skills but that could not be further from the truth. Only by working together, will we make vital changes in recruitment practices, to help those who are finding it challenging to return to the sector.”
Successful candidates may be offered full-time positions at Drumgrange upon the completion of their 12-week placement. Since STEM Returners launched in 2017, more than 450 STEM Returner candidates have joined programmes across the UK. To view STEM Returners vacancies visit https://www.stemreturners.com/returner-placements/
