Bridging the Skills Gap: How Return-to-Work Programs Can Help
The modern workforce is facing an undeniable challenge – the growing skills gap. This disparity — where employers can’t find team members with the skills needed to perform the job — has made filling open positions more difficult than ever before. The skills gap describes the difference between the abilities that employers seek in their employees and the actual qualifications present within the workforce. Addressing these gaps is crucial. We have to understand them to identify better candidates with the necessary qualifications during recruitment and hiring.
Solution: Return-to-Work Programs
How do we bridge the skills gap? One answer stands out: Returners. These are professionals re-entering the workforce after career breaks, bringing with them a wide variety of experiences and unique perspectives. Return-to-Work programs create an avenue to address the skills gap while enriching organizations with underutilized and untapped talent. By integrating Returners into the workforce, organizations can tap into a reservoir of untapped experience and fresh perspectives, enhancing innovation, and driving growth.
Skill gaps are also exacerbating another issue, which is causing individuals to leave their jobs at a quicker rate. The average job tenure is dropping, so we have to create new pathways to keep employees engaged and retained. By leveraging Return-to-Work programs, businesses can access candidates who possess essential business acumen and skill sets, resulting in higher retention rates – reacHIRE’s Returnships boast a remarkable 92% retention rate after two years.
Returners are invaluable assets. Their dedication, coupled with their ability to quickly integrate into the workplace, makes them a powerful addition to any organization. These professionals are ready to hit the ground running with their experience to drive results and contribute meaningfully.
What Keeps Returners Competitive?
It’s estimated that 62% of all workers have taken a career break at some point. This statistic highlights a vast pool of talent waiting to be tapped, and it’s time to invest in them. Returners, having honed key skills during their time away, are equipped to make an impact. As Forbes notes, these individuals develop resilience, compassion, cultural competence, adaptability, and even budgeting prowess while navigating life’s challenges. These qualities are vital in addressing industry challenges and building innovative solutions.
Many Returners use time during their breaks to unlock new skills by taking courses and getting new certificates. Their fresh perspectives, combined with loyalty and life experience, position Returners to fill gaps in areas such as retention and organizational sustainability. Investing in these professionals helps businesses address talent shortages while reaping the benefits of their unique contributions. Professionals reentering the workforce can successfully fill roles in: AI, business, marketing, project management, tech, and more.
Partnering with Proven Companies for Success
Organizations looking to embrace the power of Returners can turn to reacHIRE. Our programs not only refresh essential skills, but also ensure that businesses connect with top-tier talent ready to re-enter the workforce. Companies who partner with reacHIRE are able to bridge the skills gap while fostering retention and organizational growth. As the workforce continues to change, embracing Return-to-Work programs and investing in Returners presents a meaningful opportunity to address skill gaps and build a more robust workforce.