Engineering and environmental consultancy Binnies is offering opportunities in Chester as part of a new programme helping STEM professionals return to work after a career break.

Binnies, an RSK company, will work with STEM Returners to host a 12-week paid programme enabling professionals to re-enter the industry.

Roles available through the programme include Senior Quantity Surveyor, Civil Design Engineer, Environmental Clerk of Works and Project Manager, with opportunities based in Chester as well as Wales and the south of England.

Two previous programmes in 2022 and 2023 supported seven people to return to work, including Veronica Battaglini, who took a five-year career break when she had her two children. Despite having an undergraduate degree and a Master’s in Civil Engineering, as well as years of experience as an assistant project engineer, she found it difficult to secure a role when she was ready to return to work.

Veronica said: “I was concerned that employers would regard me as less employable than people who hadn’t had a career break. But thankfully, with some time to refresh my knowledge and get up to date; a friendly, supportive, open-minded employer; and the support and encouragement of STEM Returners, I was able to manage the transition back into work and my career is back on track.”

With offices in the UK and beyond, Binnies delivers sustainable and resilient water and environment projects around the world.

Scott Aitken, Managing Director, said: “We are proud to be partnering with STEM Returners once again to help talented professionals restart their careers. Career breaks should never be a barrier to opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming skilled individuals whose experience, perspectives and expertise will strengthen our teams and support the important work we deliver for our clients and communities.”

STEM Returners, based in Hampshire, will source candidates for the new programme and support them with mentoring and careers coaching services.

The latest research from STEM Returners, the STEM Returners Index, shows that it is harder than ever to return to STEM after a career break, with bias against a lack of recent experience, as well as gender, age and race, among the main barriers to entry.

The survey of more than 1,000 people showed that the challenges of trying to return to work were damaging their self-confidence and forcing them to consider leaving STEM altogether.

STEM Returners aims to eliminate these barriers by giving candidates real work experience and mentoring during their placement, as well as supporting them as they adjust to life back at work.

Natalie Desty, Director and Founder of STEM Returners, said: “We know there is a need for qualified, skilled people across the engineering and utilities sectors. However, people with a career break are overlooked due to unconscious bias in the recruitment process. A career break should not mean a career end. We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Binnies to support highly skilled people back into the industry they love.”

Since STEM Returners first launched in 2017, nearly 700 candidates have joined programmes across the UK. To view STEM Returners opportunities, visit the STEM Returners website.