Industry leaders in AI technology for building energy systems, Grid Edge, has joined forces with STEM Returners to provide fantastic opportunities for engineers to break the ‘career break curse’.
The Birmingham based AI tech firm – who is leading the way with pioneering software that reduces businesses energy usage and carbon emissions – have made the strong commitment to continue to diversify their workforce with talented engineers via a STEM Returners scheme.
The STEM Returners recruitment programme is being seen as an important step to help plug the skills gap facing UK Engineering, especially following the chaotic period caused by Covid-19. In one such previous returners programme 100% of those who took part were given permanent positions with their host company upon completion of their placement.
The programme aims to increase diversity in the sector, with only one in 10 UK engineering posts held by women and only three out of 50 being BAME.
STEM Returners recently conducted a study with the help of 350 engineers. The report, titled ‘STEM: The Hidden Workforce’ found that two-thirds of engineers believe the recruitment process works against them.
But with STEM Returners’ innovative programme, these same engineers are given an opportunity, with 12-week fully paid placements to show their true value to firms.
The company can now boast over 150 individuals returned to full-time engineering roles, and now Grid Edge have decided to look at the talented pool of engineers left behind by outdated recruitment methods.
The programme is open to women and men who have taken any length career break, as well as those who wish to transfer sectors but lack the relevant work experience. The roles on offer at Grid Edge will include DataScientists and Software Developers, with applications open to experienced people looking to transfer or return to the sector.
At the end of the 12 weeks, job offers may be made by Grid Edge to those who have shown the necessary skills and aptitude to join the organisation.
This is not just work experience, but a genuine opportunity to restart careers within an exciting organisation.“There are lots of initiatives to cater for the next generation of STEM workers but the STEM Returners programme is aimed specifically at those wishing to go back to engineering mid-career” said Natalie Desty, Directorof STEM Returners.
“Working with a company as innovative as Grid Edge is going to be fantastic, the launch of their STEM Returners programme shows truly shows their passion towards increasing diversity to their workforce,” She added.
Tom Anderson CEO and Co-Founder of Grid Edge said, “Post the Covid-19 lockdown, organisations across the UK are rightly committed to Building Back Better. Embracing innovation like Grid Edge technology will help organisations achieve their energy efficiency goals, so we’re investing in our team to enable the business to grow.”
“We’ve been lucky to attract great people to our team with different backgrounds and experiences. Now we’re looking to grow and expand thebusiness, we want to be purposeful with our recruitment practices and have Diversity and Inclusion at the heart.
“If it wasn’t hard enough before this global crisis for people to return to work after a career break, it’s arguably even harder now. This is why we have decided to work with STEM Returners to offer opportunities to skilled and experienced people looking to restart and rebuild their career back in technology company.”