Second launch for Government-funded programme helping parents and carers re-enter the tech and engineering sectors

Second launch for Government-funded programme helping parents and carers re-enter the tech and engineering sectors

Women Returners and STEM Returners have launched the second phase of a successful return-to-work support programme, which has helped more than 40 parents and carers with engineering and tech experience get back to their careers.

Supported by the Minister for Women, Maria Caulfield, STEM ReCharge is providing career coaching, job skills training, mentoring and technical refresh sessions to parents and carers in the midlands and north of England who want to return to the engineering and tech industries following a career break.

It is delivered by return-to-work experts Women Returners and STEM Returners, and funded by the Government’s Equality Hub, backed by Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch who told Parliament about the “full wealth” of experience those taking part in the programme have.

Insight and lessons learned from the first group of returners, who completed the programme in June and July, are being used to support the second phase of the programme, which will start in October. Returners can apply for the programme here.  

Priyanka Bondre took part in the first cohort and her experience is reflective of many returners. In 2019, she left her job in India to join her husband in the UK and then took an extended career break to care for their young daughter. But despite a bachelor's degree in computer science, an MBA in IT Management and more than 10 years’ experience in IT, Priyanka still found it difficult to get back into the workplace.

With her daughter starting school in September, STEM ReCharge came at just the right time and was the boost she needed. “It has been wonderful to be a part of the STEM Recharge programme,” Priyanka said. “The programme gave me a confidence boost to resume my professional journey. I am enrolled in a Data Engineer bootcamp and thrilled to reskill and re-enter the workforce!”