Sage and CyberNorth Inspire Local Talent at Inaugural Career Returners Meetup in Newcastle

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting returning professionals, Sage Pathways was proud to host the first in-person Career Returners Meetup at our Cobalt Park campus. The event, one of several global meetups run by Career Returners, brought together a dynamic group of professionals ready to re-enter the workforce.

The meetup was designed to provide a supportive and collaborative environment, giving attendees the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, discover invaluable resources, and meet directly with colleagues from the Sage People Function and Global Security teams.

There was a feeling of energy in the room as a Career Returners coach guided the group through practical sessions, leaving attendees feeling inspired, motivated, and equipped with clear, actionable steps for their journey. These "homework" tasks included crafting a compelling professional introduction, mastering LinkedIn to build a strong professional network, and exploring the wealth of resources on the Career Returners community platform.

A key highlight was the insightful session with Annabel Berry and Danielle Phillips from our partners at CyberNorth. They demystified the world of cybersecurity, stressing that not all roles are technical and that transferable skills like critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving are in high demand. With an estimated 14,000 cybersecurity roles available at any given time, they painted a clear picture of a sector filled with opportunity.

This skills gap is particularly relevant when considering the vast potential within the returner community. According to UK Government figures, there are currently 75,000 people - the majority of whom are women; who are economically inactive due to caring responsibilities but who held a STEM occupation before their career break. This highlights an immense, untapped talent pool ready to fill these critical roles.

The power of a non-linear career path was brought to life by Sage colleague Emmanuella Hagan, who shared her inspiring "squiggly career’’ and how she found her current role through Career Returners. Referencing recent high-profile cyber incidents affecting major UK brands, Emmanuella and CyberNorth encouraged attendees to stay curious and explore the vital, growing cybersecurity industry.

The feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive, capturing the spirit of the event perfectly:

“I feel really inspired and motivated! Thank you Career Returners and Sage, for hosting today. I feel so positive!”

Another attendee shared the immediate impact of the coaching session:

“I nearly didn't come today but am so glad I did. Thank you for introducing me to the professional introduction - I was struggling to do this, so I will definitely use it... I just need to practice on my phone tonight!”

Sage is incredibly proud to facilitate these connections and provide a platform for growth. This event marks a significant milestone in our commitment to building diverse talent pipelines and ensuring that the path back to a fulfilling career is open to everyone.