Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

Ontic partners again with STEM Returners

Ontic is stepping up its commitment to helping more engineers return to work after a career break, by launching a second programme with STEM Returners.

Image courtesy Ontic

Ontic will offer the new programme at their site in Cheltenham and be open to anyone who has had a career break for any length of time. STEM Returners, based in Hampshire, will source the candidates for the programme and support them with mentoring and career coaching services.

The new scheme follows a successful programme in 2022, which helped Electrical engineers return to the sector.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

With over 50 years of aerospace part manufacturing and repair support experience, Ontic has operations across North America, the UK and Asia, providing strategic worldwide support to civil and defence customers when and where it is needed. Ontic manufactures, repairs and recertifies equipment for more than 1,500 customers and supports programmes including BAE System’s Hawk, UH-50 Black Hawk, Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330.

Diane Paul, Recruitment Manager for Ontic UK & Asia, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with STEM Returners again to help us recruit experienced and skilled people. We are a growing company so are constantly recruiting for newly created roles and with the skills shortage in our industry, this can be difficult so let’s not lose talented people with those skills because they’ve taken a career break.

“If someone’s got a good skills foundation on which to build, we welcome their expertise – we’ve employed ex-clock makers before as well as technicians previously working in the automotive industry because they have valuable transferrable skills. It’s the same with people who’ve had a career break – we offer lots of training so can help bring people up to speed quickly but ultimately, their foundational skills are still very valuable and it’s a great opportunity to support people with experience and knowledge returning to work.”

Research from STEM Returners (STEM Returners Index) has found that many people face challenges when returning to work following a career break, with recruitment bias against a lack of recent experience as well as gender, age and race as the main barriers to entry. For example, half (51%) of respondents said a perceived lack of recent experience was a barrier to entry, an increase from 38% in the 2023 Index and more than a quarter (26%) of women said they felt they have personally experienced bias in the recruitment process due to their gender compared to eight per cent of men.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

STEM Returners’ programmes aim to eliminate these barriers by giving candidates real work experience and mentoring during their placement, as well as supporting them to adjust to life back in work. At the end of the programme, returners may be offered the opportunity to become permanent employees.

Natalie Desty, Director of STEM Returners, said: “We know there is a skills gap across engineering - the UK needs 124,000 new engineers and technicians annually to meet demand, but nearly half of businesses find it hard to recruit. However, there is a hidden workforce that can fill those roles immediately, if they are given the chance.

“Many returners keep themselves updated with the developments from their industry and have developed transferable skills that can benefit employers. We are proud to be launching our second programme with Ontic, who share our objectives of increasing the numbers of returners in the workplace, helping people understand the benefits of diversity and raising awareness of unconscious bias to provide an inclusive platform to bring talented professionals back to the industry.”

Since STEM Returners launched in 2017, more than 500 people have joined programmes across the UK and returned to work. To view STEM Returners’ opportunities, visit https://stemreturners.com/live-programmes

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Skyports acquires Redbird Aero

Aerospace

Skyports acquires Redbird Aero

17 April 2025

Skyports Drone Services (Skyports) has acquired Redbird Aero, Australia’s leading large cargo drone operator.

Farnborough Airport voted top FBO in Europe

Aerospace

Farnborough Airport voted top FBO in Europe

17 April 2025

Farnborough Airport has today announced that it has been voted as Europe’s number one FBO (Fixed Base Operator) in the 2025 Professional Pilot PRASE Survey, marking an outstanding 18 years in the top spot.

Birmingham Airport has record year

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport has record year

17 April 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) had a record year in 2024/25 welcoming over 13 million passengers, marking a new peak for the transport hub.

Unifi secures Oxford Airport ground handling and security contracts

Aerospace Security

Unifi secures Oxford Airport ground handling and security contracts

17 April 2025

Unifi has secured its first business aviation ground handling contract and its third Fixed Base Operation/FBO security contract in the UK at London Oxford Airport, marking a major expansion of its services and a new milestone in its global growth.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
NATS and ANSPs to drive sustainable aviation through GAIN

Aerospace

NATS and ANSPs to drive sustainable aviation through GAIN

16 April 2025

Green Aviation Insights (GAIN), a novel tool developed by NATS in collaboration with leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) – CAAM, skeyes and AZANS officially launches today.

Southend Airport wins Best Route Development & Marketing award at Routes Europe 2025

Aerospace

Southend Airport wins Best Route Development & Marketing award at Routes Europe 2025

15 April 2025

Southend Airport has won the award for Best Route Development & Marketing in the airports under five million passengers category at this year’s Routes Europe Awards in Seville, Spain.

Advertisement
ODU RT