Mott MacDonald has joined forces once again with STEM Returners to launch the second phase of its 2025 programme, aimed at helping engineers re-enter the profession after a career break.

The initiative offers paid work placements, mentoring, and structured support to help returners rebuild confidence and reintegrate into the workplace. At the end of the programme, participants may be offered permanent roles within the company.

This next phase will see new roles based at Mott MacDonald’s office in Altrincham, as well as sites in Cardiff, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Opportunities include positions for civil engineers, electrical engineers, and project control engineers.

Despite the UK needing an estimated 124,000 new engineers and technicians each year to meet growing demand*, returning to the profession remains a challenge. Research from the STEM Returners Index highlights the significant barriers faced by those with gaps in their CVs.

One returner from the first phase described the impact:
“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, added:
“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.”

The STEM Returners Index identifies key barriers to re-entry, including bias against those without recent experience, as well as discrimination based on gender, age, and ethnicity. More than half of respondents (51%) said a perceived lack of recent experience was a major hurdle—up from 38% in 2023. Additionally, over a quarter (26%) of women reported experiencing gender bias in recruitment, compared with just 8% of men.

STEM Returners was founded in 2017 by Natalie Desty, who saw firsthand the challenges faced by skilled professionals trying to re-enter the industry. 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 its launch, the initiative has helped over 600 people return to work across the UK. To further understand the obstacles facing returners, STEM Returners is currently conducting its 2025 Index survey. The anonymous questionnaire explores reasons for career breaks and the challenges faced in returning, helping to shine a light on progress and the change still needed across STEM sectors.

For more information or to explore current opportunities, visit: www.stemreturners.com/live-programmes