Mott MacDonald and STEM Returners launch new roles as they support engineers back to work after a career break

Mott MacDonald and STEM Returners have kicked off the second phase of their 2025 programme to help engineers return to work after a career break. 

The STEM Returners programme gives those on the scheme paid work, mentoring and additional support as they adjust to life back in work. At the end of the programme, returners are generally offered the opportunity to become permanent employees. 

The new roles can be based at Mott MacDonald offices in Cardiff, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Altrincham and will include civil engineers, electrical engineers and project control engineers.

Despite the UK needing 124,000 new engineers and technicians annually to meet demand*, research from STEM Returners (STEM Returners Index) shows that people face an uphill battle when returning to work following a career break. 

The first phase of the programme was successful with one returner saying: “I’ve been able to reconnect with my professional identity. The programme has been designed with empathy and structure, which, despite over fifteen years of experience, was needed to reintegrate with confidence after taking a break. Critically, there is an inclusive culture, which recognises the value of lived experience, especially from older STEM returners, flexibility, and diversity of thought, all of which are essential to the future of engineering and infrastructure.”

Sarah Hodgkiss, talent acquisition lead – equality, diversity and inclusion at Mott MacDonald commented: “Supporting professionals back into their careers after a break is not only the right thing to do, but also vital for building the diverse, inclusive and innovative workforce we need for the future. I am thrilled that we have welcomed over 10 returners to the business so far, who have all brought valuable skills, perspectives and experience that strengthen our teams. This programme is an important part of our commitment to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.”

Recruitment bias against a lack of recent experience as well as gender, age and race are the main barriers returners face when trying to re-enter the industry, according to the STEM Returners Index. For example, half (51%) of respondents said a perceived lack of recent experience was a barrier to entry, an increase from 38% in the 2023 Index and more than a quarter (26%) of women said they felt they had personally experienced bias in the recruitment process due to their gender, compared to eight per cent of men.

Natalie Desty formed STEM Returners in 2017 after she saw how hard it was for people to return to work with a gap on their CV. She said: “We know there is a skills gap across engineering and nearly half of businesses say they find it hard to recruit. There is a hidden workforce that can fill those roles immediately if they are given the chance. A career break does not mean a career end. By continuing our partnership with Mott MacDonald, we hope to provide a safe and structured way of supporting more people back to the industry”.

Since STEM Returners launched in 2017, more than 600 people have joined programmes across the UK and returned to work. To assess the challenges people face when returning to work, STEM Returners is currently asking individuals to complete the 2025 STEM Returners Index. The survey is anonymous and asks a range of questions, including reasons for a career break and what challenges were faced when attempting to return to work. The results will enable STEM Returners to further understand the barriers people face, track the progress UK STEM industries are making, and shine a light on the change needed to create fair opportunities for all.

To view STEM Returners’ opportunities, visit https://stemreturners.com/live-programmes/.