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Stuart Gentle Publisher at Onrec

O2 Announces 20 Career Returner Roles And New Supported Hiring Opportunities

O2 is reopening its pioneering Career Returners programme, with 20 new roles available for those who have taken time out from their career and have a passion for technology.

  • Pioneering scheme enters its third year
  • Supported hiring for the first time

Applications close 2nd July

O2 is reopening its pioneering Career Returners programme, with 20 new roles available for those who have taken time out from their career and have a passion for technology.

The programme, now in its third year, offers a broad variety of roles for those wanting to get back into the world of work after a career break. The scheme, run in collaboration with career returner experts Women Returners, will give 20 individuals the opportunity to use and grow their tech and business acumen as part of O2’s business, whilst also offering support to reintegrate participants into the world of work.

The programme is open to men and women who have had between 2 and 10 years out of the world of work, and are now looking to return at a level befitting their experience. The programme includes mentoring for participants from both O2 and Women Returners, as well as regular training sessions to get participants up to speed on digital tools to new time management practices. The programme also offers flexible working policies to ensure returners can smoothly transition back into their career and maintain a healthy work/life balance. Applications close on 2nd July.

Supported hiring first

For the first time, O2 is also offering a variety of supported hiring opportunities across the business with roles available in their sales, operations, marketing and legal teams. Available to people who have taken a long career break, successful candidates will benefit from coaching support from Women Returners. Applications will operate on a rolling basis but applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Ann Pickering, O2 Chief HR Officer and Chief of Staff said: “We’re excited to be running our Career Returners programme for the third year, with even more opportunities available for men and women who have taken career breaks. Many of these people are highly experienced, but lack the right opportunities and support they need to consider a return to the workplace. Through one-on-one mentoring and regular training sessions, the programme has been carefully curated to empower our returners to thrive within the business from day one.

We know that returners have a lot to offer; no business can afford to miss out on their years of invaluable experience, partnered with a fresh perspective. Plus through our Supported Hiring initiative we’re able to offer individuals’ additional help to ensure the process of returning back to the world of work is as comfortable as possible.”

Rebecca Peters, 46, mother of two and Chartered Architect within the London infrastructure team at O2 said: “After a long career in architecture I struggled to fit the long hours and travel demands of the job around my family and decided to take a seven-year career break. After attending the Women Returners Conference in 2016, I was inspired by the many flexible working opportunities available for those looking to return to work. The mentoring and training on the programme showed me that the skills I had could be used outside my previous career. Most importantly, O2 has really supported me in getting the balance right between work and family with their generous flexible working policy.”

Applications for O2’s 2018 Career Returners programme close on Monday 2nd July. To apply or find out more, visit http://wrpn.womenreturners.com/o2-career-returners-2018/