HS2 seeks STEM women returners to work.

the diverse range of opportunities offered by HS2.

In line with HS2’s drive to create employment opportunities, the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture has partnered with the Women Returners and STEM Returners campaigns. By engaging with local communities, the drive to get people back into work touches the areas affected by the HS2 project line, offering new opportunities for work.

• The Women Returners initiative is aimed at experienced professionals from a variety of backgrounds who took a career break of two years or more.
• The programme will offer six months’ paid work placements to six candidates, with a high likelihood of ongoing employment on the HS2 project.

In 2020, the joint venture recruited six high-calibre employees through the Women Returners programme, with a 100% conversion into permanent employment. It hopes this year’s programme will encourage more people to join the sector and secure long-term employment in line with their career aspirations.

tackling gender imbalances with diversity and inclusion.

The programme hopes to gain interest from female returners, as this supports HS2’s aim to address the gender imbalance commonplace in the construction and rail sectors. However, in the 'returners' sector, recognising that career breaks for parental care or personal reasons are not exclusive to women, the joint venture also encourages male applicants for the programme looking to join the industry. 

how does the scheme work?

Mentoring and coaching will be provided to ensure that those returning to work, following a lengthy period of absence, are fully supported.

Following the completion of the 12-week programme, successful candidates may be offered full-time positions. The STEM Returners programme has already supported almost 200 candidates and 96% have been offered full-time roles at the end of their placement.