Very Group offers roles for tech career returners

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Oct 14, 2021

Online retailer Very Group said on Thursday that it’s “offering a path back into technology roles for people who have taken a career break”.

In the first phase of a new ‘career reinvention programme’, it’s open for applications from anyone who has taken a career break of two years or more, with the aim of initially recruiting 10 people into a wide range of technology roles – including flexible hours and part time options – based in the North West of England. 

And it said it would “significantly” expand the initiative next year as it works to further increase diversity within its technology team.

It’s also offering the chance for people to improve their skills and said that “rather than hiring primarily on technical skills in the latest technologies, the recruitment journey will focus on applicants’ potential and values. Successful candidates will be passionate about learning new skills and have prior experience in related roles such as QA engineer, software engineer, data engineer or data scientist”.

The company has additionally partnered with return-to-work specialist Women Returners, which will provide tailored support through a series of returner coaching workshops.

Very Group’s Chief Information Officer Matt Great said: “We have big ambitions for our career returners programme. People take extended career breaks for all kinds of reasons and when they decide to re-enter the workplace, we don’t think they should be penalised. After all, technology might have changed in that time, but these professionals’ underlying potential and talent certainly haven’t.”