Employers ‘lack information about returnships’

Just 15% of UK employers have heard of returnships and 95% do not offer a programme for returners, according to a new survey.

The totaljobs study of 2,600 jobseekers and nearly 100 employers says that, after hearing about returnships, one in five employers believed they would offer such a programme, with 69% stating that they would do so if the initiative was incentivised by the Government.

The study also found that 72% of employees would consider a returnship if they were to take a career break.

Looking at the motivations for undertaking a returnship, half of employees who have already completed such a programme did so because they struggled to find a full-time job. A further 38% said that the programme helped ease them back into the workplace; while 16% stated that they did not feel confident immediately returning into a traditional full-time role.

Totaljobs’ HR Director, David Clift, said: “Returnships are an excellent way of welcoming employees back into the workforce, utilising their skills and making sure talent isn’t lost permanently. While returnships could be one of the ways of closing the skills gap the UK is facing at the moment, there is much work to be done in educating employers and recruiters on the benefits of such programmes. We are optimistic that these findings, as well as the government’s support, will encourage more employers to offer returnships and show those looking for ways back into work, that returnships are a viable track.”

• Vote  
• 0
• 0
• You already voted!