Aerospace engineering firm Leonardo has teamed up with STEM Returners on a 12-week programme at its helicopters site in Yeovil, UK, in which candidates will work on the development of an aircraft.
Structural Design Engineer, Aerodynamics Analyst and System Safety Engineer roles are up for grabs; and STEM Returners, the Hampshire-based organisation that eliminates barriers for STEM talent re-entering the workplace via work experience and mentoring opportunities, will source the candidates for the fully paid placements, who may be offered a full-time position at Leonardo after.
The new Yeovil initiative follows the successful implementation of STEM Returner programmes at Leonardo’s sites in Basildon, Edinburgh, Luton and Southampton.
STEM Returners aim to reintegrate STEM professionals into an inclusive working environment. Their cohort is diverse; 51% of its population are female while 38% are from Black and other ethnic minority groups, far above the diversity of the current STEM workforce at 10% female and 6% ethnic minority.
Therefore, by working with STEM Returners, other STEM organisations could increase their own workforce diversity and improve diversity of thought and workplace innovation in the process.
Despite the ongoing skills shortage in the UK engineering industry, and the need for qualified talent to fill roles, The 2021 STEM Returners Index found that 61% of STEM professionals on a career break say they are finding the process of attempting to return to work either “difficult or very difficult.”
Furthermore, 36% have felt bias during the recruitment process, which has been a barrier to them returning to their career. Yet, more partnerships like the one between Leonardo and STEM Returners could plug the skills gaps in the industry while ensuring the creation of a more diverse, upskilled and empowered workforce.
Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners said: “This is the third programme we have launched with Leonardo UK and we are very proud to be continuing our work with them to return highly skilled people back into the industry they love. Only by partnering with industry leaders like Leonardo, will we make vital changes in STEM recruitment practices, to help those who are finding it challenging to return to the sector and improve diversity and inclusion.”
Mike Overd, Chief Military Aircraft UK at Leonardo Helicopters UK said: “Our work with STEM Returners is aimed at finding exceptional talent to help us deliver our first-class engineering and technical services. Diversity drives innovation and gives us the competitive edge, so experienced engineers from a diverse range of backgrounds are very valuable to our business.”
To view STEM Returners opportunities that are currently available at Leonardo, click here.
