A 12-week paid placement aims to empower engineers and other STEM professionals to re-enter the workforce and tackle recruitment bias.
Saica Group, a global packaging manufacturer, has teamed up with return-to-work specialists STEM Returners to launch a new 12-week employment programme as part of its diversity action plan. The initiative supports professionals with science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) qualifications returning to the workforce after a career break, offering the possibility of permanent employment upon completion.
The programme, with placements available at Saica’s facilities in Carrington, near Manchester, and Deeside, North Wales, welcomes a range of STEM professionals, including engineers and technical specialists. In 2025, Saica will provide four placements, offering participants the chance to bring their expertise to a dynamic and collaborative environment.
STEM Returners will handle candidate selection and provide career coaching and mentoring throughout the paid placement. Findings from the STEM Returners Index highlight the significant barriers faced by those re-entering the workforce, including recruitment bias linked to lack of recent experience, gender, age, and race. The research revealed that 51% of respondents saw a perceived lack of recent experience as a barrier—up from 38% previously. Additionally, 26% of women reported recruitment bias based on gender, compared to just 8% of men. This initiative aims to eliminate these challenges by providing candidates with practical work experience and improving access to opportunities at Saica for underrepresented groups.
Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, said: “Despite a well-known skills shortage across the manufacturing industry, people on a career break are often overlooked. However, they have important skills, expertise and knowledge that will benefit any employer.
“We are very proud to be entering this new partnership with Saica to return highly skilled people back to the industry they love. Only by working together will we make vital changes in recruitment practices to help those who are finding it challenging to return to the sector and improve diversity and inclusion.”
Karen Bain, People Director for Saica Group in the UK, Ireland, and Benelux, commented: “This programme is quite simply the right thing to do. We are committed to supporting members of the community in the areas where we operate back into work. By doing so in a supported way, we will maximise the chances of success for both the individuals and for Saica, offering us an opportunity to fill roles that can be difficult to recruit for and improve the diversity of our workforce. We are delighted to be partnering with STEM Returners in this initiative, and their expertise will be invaluable in ensuring its success.”
Saica, a global leader with over 12,000 employees and eight decades of innovation, remains steadfast in its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. Applications for the placements are now open, with the programme set to commence in Q1 2025.
Since its launch in 2017, STEM Returners has successfully placed more than 500 candidates in roles across the UK. To explore STEM Returners’ opportunities, visit STEMReturners.