Global energy consultancy Xodus has joined a leading UK programme supporting professionals returning to the STEM workforce following a career break.

STEM Returners is a leading organisation providing employers with talented professionals and helping them to view CV gaps in a different way. It sources candidates and provides them with additional support including advice, career coaching, and mentoring; ensuring applicants are ready and confident to return to work.

All candidates going through the programme have the opportunity to restart their career in a permanent position at the end of the initiative and be reintegrated into an inclusive work environment.

Xodus has joined the STEM Returners programme as it identified the need for a skilled workforce to support the energy transition. The company is committed to diversity and inclusion, and it is working tirelessly to close the gender pay gap within its organisation.

 Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, said: “The number of roles required by the energy industry to meet the UK’s net zero goals is growing across the sector, and there is a hidden workforce that can help fill those roles, but these people are often overlooked.

“People who have a had a career break face an uphill battle to return to the industry – there is a misconception that a gap on you CV leads to a deterioration of skills, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many returners keep themselves updated with the developments from their industry and have advanced transferable skills that can benefit their employers.

“We want to help those who are finding it challenging to return to the sector, as well as supporting companies, to improve diversity and inclusion. We are very proud to be entering a new partnership with Xodus to provide an inclusive platform to bring professionals back to the industry and bridge the skills gap. Only by partnering with industry leaders like Xodus, which is already supporting the workforce of tomorrow through its skills initiative X-Academy, will we make vital changes in STEM recruitment practices.”

Lee Edmonds-Ward, EMEA Head of Operations and People at Xodus, added: “As the world’s energy security remains at the top of the agenda, the global spend on decarbonisation methods such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen is ever increasing. It’s a pivotal and exciting time for the energy industry as it is on a growth trajectory. To capitalise on this, we must ensure the right resources are in place to maintain its upwards momentum, both in terms of infrastructure and having the necessary workforce.

“Together, we aim to deliver a responsible energy future, and a big part of that is working collaboratively with the wider industry and organisations such as STEM Returners to ensure that we have a strong pool of talented people ready to deliver the energy mix of tomorrow.

“We are absolutely committed to enabling a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace at Xodus. We are building an environment where people belong and are valued.”

STEM Returners has recently launched the 2023 STEM Returners Index, an annual survey which aims to understand STEM professionals’ experiences of trying to re-enter the sector after a career break. According to the survey, 66% of STEM professionals are finding the process of attempting to return to work either difficult or very difficult and nearly half (46%) of participants said they felt bias because of a lack of recent experience.

The STEM Returners project is supported by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and the Women’s Engineering Society.