As the professional landscape evolves, career breaks are becoming increasingly common, especially amongst women who often take time off for family responsibilities or personal pursuits. Recognizing this trend, numerous companies in India are proactively launching “Women Career Restart Programs,” also known as returnship programs, to tap into this experienced talent pool. These initiatives are not just beneficial for women seeking to relaunch their careers but also offer significant advantages for companies aiming to build diverse and inclusive workforces.
These programs are meticulously structured to provide women with the necessary training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to smoothly transition back into professional roles. By bridging the skill gap and boosting confidence, these programs are instrumental in enabling women to overcome the challenges of re-entry after a career break. Furthermore, companies that champion these programs gain access to a wealth of untapped talent, fostering a more balanced and dynamic work environment.
Several leading organizations in India are at the forefront of this movement, offering dedicated programs designed to support women in their career restart journey. Let’s explore some of these impactful initiatives:
Leading the Way: Top Women Career Restart Programs in India
These companies are not just offering jobs; they are providing pathways for women to rebuild their careers and contribute their valuable skills and experiences.
Amazon India – Rekindle Program
Amazon India’s Rekindle program is specifically tailored for women professionals who have taken a career break and are eager to rejoin the workforce. This comprehensive 16-week paid internship provides a supportive environment for participants to update their skills and acclimatize to the current industry demands. The program stands out by offering a potential pathway to a full-time position at Amazon upon successful completion of the internship.
https://www.amazon.jobs/en/landing_pages/rekindle
Goldman Sachs India – Returnship Program
Goldman Sachs India’s Returnship program is a global initiative with a strong presence in India. It targets individuals, including a significant number of women, who have been on a career break for at least two years. This intensive 12-week paid internship is designed to refresh participants’ professional skills and provide hands-on experience within the financial sector. Like other leading programs, it offers the prospect of a full-time role at Goldman Sachs based on performance during the program.
https://www.goldmansachs.com/worldwide/india/careers/india-returnship.html
Deloitte India – Encore Program
Deloitte India’s Encore program extends a hand to professionals who have been on a career break for two or more years, with a strong focus on women seeking to return to work. This 16-week program, featuring a six-month paid internship, is structured to provide a supportive on-ramp back into the corporate world. Participants benefit from updated training, mentorship, and real-world projects, enhancing their employability and potentially leading to full-time opportunities at Deloitte.
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/careers/articles/join-deloitte-encore-program.html
SAP India – Career Restart Program
SAP India’s Career Restart program is explicitly designed to support women professionals returning to work after a career break of two years or more. This focused three-month paid internship offers a structured approach to re-entry, emphasizing skill enhancement and industry immersion. Participants are evaluated for full-time positions at SAP upon conclusion of their internship, making it a direct pathway back into the tech industry.
https://jobs.sap.com/go/SAP-Returnship-Program/5365101/
IBM India – Career Restart Program
IBM India’s Career Restart program, also known as the IBM Tech Re-Entry program, is open to individuals who have been on a career break for over two years, with a strong emphasis on attracting women in technology. This longer 12-month paid internship provides a more extended period for skill re-development and professional re-integration within IBM’s innovative environment. The program is a significant commitment from IBM to support experienced professionals in their return to the tech workforce.
https://www.ibm.com/blogs/jobs/return-to-the-workforce-with-the-ibm-tech-re-entry-program/
Barclays India – Encore Returnship Program
Barclays India’s Encore program is a flagship diversity and inclusion initiative aimed at helping individuals, including women, who have experienced a career break. This returnship program offers leadership and development training, mentorship, and networking, alongside a paid working role for the program’s duration. Barclays’ commitment extends to offering permanent roles to candidates who demonstrate strong performance and alignment with the company’s values during the program.
https://search.jobs.barclays/return-to-work
Conclusion: A Mutually Beneficial Path Forward
Women career restart programs represent a powerful and progressive approach to talent acquisition and workforce diversity in India. These initiatives not only empower women to confidently resume their professional journeys but also enable companies to enrich their workforce with experienced and diverse perspectives. As more companies recognize the immense value of these programs, we can anticipate a more inclusive and equitable professional landscape for women in India and globally.
Beyond these prominent companies, organizations like Qween are also actively contributing to this ecosystem by providing crucial career support and opportunities for women through specialized returnship programs.
Qween offers programs such as:
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‘Rehire’ program: Specifically designed to assist individuals, including women, who have faced job displacement due to mass layoffs, helping them re-enter the workforce. Registration Link: https://qween.in/get_hired/
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‘Women Return in Tech’ (WRIT) program: In collaboration with TNS India Foundation, this program is dedicated to supporting skilled women aiming to return to the technology sector after a career break. It invites resumes from talented women currently on a career break and seeking to relaunch their careers in tech. Registration Link: https://qween.in/returnintech/
Let’s collectively strive towards building a more inclusive and diverse workforce in India, where opportunities are accessible to all, and the professional journeys of women are fully supported and valued.
