A Southampton company has helped 500 professionals return to work.

STEM Returners, based near Southampton, offers short-term paid placements for people who have been out of work.

The company was founded in 2017 by Natalie Desty, who saw the difficulties STEM professionals faced when returning to work after a career break.

Initially, Natalie started a small pilot programme with BAE Systems in Portsmouth, which was successful for both the returners and the company. Since then, other firms in the engineering, aerospace, renewables, tech, and construction sectors have launched similar programmes across the UK and Ireland.

Natalie said: "After working in recruitment for many years, I could see how hard it was for STEM professionals who had been out of employment to re-enter their profession. I wanted to provide an inclusive way back for those talented people who were being let down by outdated recruitment methods."

David, from Southampton, recently completed a programme with global security company Leonardo as a systems engineer. Despite having a strong career in education and numerous qualifications, including a PhD in Mathematics, a Master’s in Data Science, and an MSc in Operational Research from the University of Southampton, he found transitioning to industry challenging.

STEM Returners’ research highlights the challenges people face when trying to return to work after a career break, with recruitment bias against age, gender, and recent experience being the main barriers. The company’s programme aims to eliminate these barriers by providing candidates with real work experience and mentoring during their placement, as well as supporting them in adjusting back to work life.

David said: "One of the challenges I faced was the combination of my age, my unemployed status, and my lack of recent experience in the industry. Initially, I doubted whether I’d be a good fit for a position at Leonardo, as I didn’t have any formal experience as a systems engineer.

"This opportunity has been transformative for me. Often, all we need is a chance to prove our potential."