STEM Returners at Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald’s STEM Returners programmes are a cornerstone of our commitment to creating inclusive pathways back into technical and engineering careers for professionals who have taken a career break. Through our ongoing partnership with STEM Returners, we provide structured, supportive, and impactful opportunities that enable talented individuals to re‑enter the workforce with confidence.

Purpose and Commitment

We recognise that taking time away from the workplace - whether for caring responsibilities, health, relocation, or other reasons - should not be a barrier to restarting a STEM career. However, research from the STEM Returners Index consistently shows that returners face significant challenges, including recruitment bias related to gaps in recent experience, as well as gender, age, and race. For example:

• 51% of returners cite a perceived lack of recent experience as a barrier, up from 38% the previous year.
• 26% of women report experiencing gender bias during recruitment.
  
  

Our programmes tackle these barriers head‑on by offering returners structured support, meaningful work placements, and opportunities to transition into permanent employment. They also directly contribute to addressing the UK’s urgent need for 124,000 new engineers and technicians annually.