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Safran launches new jobs scheme in the UK to get engineers back to work after a career break

Human resources

Cwnbran, April 12, 2022

Safran has teamed up with the STEM Returners to launch a pilot programme open to engineers who have had a career break.

STEM Returners, based in Hampshire, will source candidates for the programme, which aims to return or transfer experienced engineers back into industry following a career break. The fully paid placements act as a 'returnship', allowing candidates to be re-integrated into an inclusive environment upon their return to STEM.

The new jobs scheme will be based at the sites in Buckinghamshire, Gloucester and Wales and roles include Design Engineers, Project Engineers and Analysts.

Successful candidates may be offered full-time positions at Safran upon completion of their 12-week placement. Since STEM Returners launched in 2017, nearly 250 STEM Returner candidates have joined programmes across the UK.

The STEM Returners' programme aims to eliminate barriers, by giving candidates real work experience and mentoring during their placement and helping them to adjust seamlessly to work life. The scheme helps solve the problem of sourcing talent in sectors that need it and has the added benefit of increasing diversity in a host organisation. STEM Returners' population of experienced professionals who are attempting to return to work are 51% female and 38% from black and minority ethnic groups (BME), compared to 10% female and 6% BME working in the STEM industry.

Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners said: "We are very proud to be entering this new partnership with Safran to return highly skilled people back into the industry they love. Only by partnering with industry leaders like Safran, 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."

Sarah Curtis, Safran UK Human Resources Country Leader said: "Supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives is a key strategic aim for Safran. We recognise the challenges that experienced professionals can face following a career break and the STEM Returners programme is fantastic as it helps foster inclusion by giving people a route back into skilled roles. We are delighted to be taking part and are looking forward to welcoming successful candidates to Safran UK." 

Annual research from STEM Returners (The STEM Returners Index) has revealed the challenges people who have had career break face, when trying to return - recruitment bias being the main barrier to entry.

Daily activity meeting of the Safran Seats On Site Support team

Notes to Editors

People who have completed the STEM Returners programme are available for interview upon request.

The STEM Returners Index 2021 is available at https://www.stemreturners.com/the-stem-returners-index-2021/

STEM Returners, returns highly qualified and experienced STEM professionals after a career break by working with employers who share the common objective of increasing diversity in STEM and creating a sector where everyone feels valued, supported and included. The STEM Returners project facilitates paid short-term employment placements for professionals returning to work after a career break. Alongside the experience gained from the work placement, the STEM Returners project will also provide support for the candidate in advice, career coaching, networking opportunities and mentoring.  All of the candidates going through the programme will also have the opportunity to restart their career in a permanent position at the end of the programme. This project is co-supported by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and the Women's Engineering Society.

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Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 76,800 employees and sales of 15,3 billion euros in 2021 and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes research and development programs to maintain the environmental priorities of its R&T and innovation roadmap. 

Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.

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  • © Adrien Daste / Safran