WIREDGOV

Since launching our Returners Hub in March 2017, techUK has been encouraging our members support individuals returning to work after a prolonged period of absence by providing advice and sharing best practice.

Returners have so much to offer and can help address the UK’s digital skills gap as well as creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces. 

Return to work programmes – often coined as ‘Returner Programmes’ or ‘Returnships’ – aim to quickly upskill individuals in competencies that may need sharpening and gain the confidence to return to and remain in work. This is vital for a multitude of individuals returning to the workplace, including individuals who have taken prolonged parental leave, individuals with caring responsibilities or individuals who have taken breaks from work for their own mental health – really return to work programmes are for almost anyone who has left the world of work for a prolonged period and now wants to re-enter.

The Tech Talent Charter released its first annual benchmarking report last week which emphasised the value of working collaboratively across the sector to remedy our diversity disparities. An important aspect to this is learning from one another and our shared experiences. That is why techUK has  re-launched its Returners Hub guest blog and insights page giving it a fresh new look and brand new content. 

We hope this resource of blogs will be useful for:

1. Individuals looking to return to work to get a better understanding of day-to-day life on such a course;
2. Employers who already run returner programmes and are looking to improve their existing programmes; and
3. Employers who are currently scoping their own potential return to work programmes and want to learn more.

We will be seeking to regularly update the Returner Experience Insights so, if you are a returner or have returners in your organisation - of any age or gender - and fancy penning a short piece on your experiences please do get in touch!