Aerospace engineering company's scheme sees Luton engineer’s career rocket

Luton systems engineer Adam Smith has seen his career trajectory rocket, after joining aerospace engineering company Leonardo through a scheme that allows individuals to restart their engineering careers after a break.

Adam is working on one of Leonardo’s most exciting new technology programmes as part of the company’s role in GCAP, the Global Combat Air Programme, to create systems that will operate at the heart of a new sixth-generation combat aircraft. Leonardo will play a core role in the international collaboration between Italy, Japan and the UK and the technology it will contribute will sit at the very cutting edge of its future-facing innovation.

However just a few years ago, Adam was facing a very different set of circumstances when the pandemic hit. In February 2020, he was amongst those made redundant during cost cuttings at a major aerospace company, where he had started his career a couple of years previously.

Unexpectedly, Adam found himself negotiating the tough daily grind of job hunting, made even more challenging due to the pandemic that was unfolding around him.

Adam said: “It was difficult, as the timing of the pandemic coupled with the layoff meant there was a frenzy of job hunting and lots of people out of work looking for the same types of roles. At the same time companies were busy scrambling to adapt to remote working and Covid protocols, so it was tough applying for jobs when you wouldn’t hear anything back, in some cases for several months.

"Job applications took up most of my days, so to cope with the stresses of job hunting I tried to develop a few skills that I hadn’t learned before such as Python programming using YouTube videos. “

Adam’s partner supported him as he applied for roles and he took up a temporary position at an electronics retail company, but he was made redundant when their sales dwindled due to fewer customers.

Things started to change in Jan 2021, when Adam saw Leonardo engineering vacancies advertised through STEM Returners, an organisation designed to support skilled professionals.

Within a week of hearing back from Leonardo, Adam attended an interview and was offered a role.

Adam has seen his confidence rise exponentially since starting his role. After completing his initial 12-week STEM Returners programme at Leonardo, Adam became a full-time permanent employee at Leoonardo.

STEM Returners is open to anyone who has taken any length career break, including those with relevant technical skills who wish to transfer sectors or industries to join Leonardo. Successful candidates join a paid 12-week structured return to work placement programme, following which job offers may be made to those who have shown the necessary skills and aptitude for the role.

Rachel Ruxton, head of inclusion and diversity at Leonardo said: “As a diverse and inclusive employer, Leonardo wants to attract individuals who can enrich our working culture through the diversity of thought and experience that they bring. Adam’s story underlines the importance of our collaboration with STEM Returners, as it strives to sweep away those traditional barriers to employment by providing an open door through which diverse individuals can become a part of our organisation.”