How Can Returnships Help with Recruitment? For companies struggling to attract skilled professionals, “returnships” are an increasingly popular option. Many technology companies as well as other industries are offering return-to-work programs for professionals who have been out of the workforce for two years or more. These programs help experienced professionals with relevant experience, but outdated skills, get back into the workplace. They are often paid internships which can range from just six weeks to six months, and participants are usually eligible to apply for a job at the company when the returnship is complete. Career breaks are not uncommon, particularly for women, who often shoulder the brunt of family responsibilities, but the Covid-19 pandemic made them more widespread, and the current tight labor market has pushed employers to be more understanding of resume gaps. Returnships are a way to address labor shortages due to the pandemic and growing skills gap while helping employers connect with untapped talent and diversify their labor force. These internships can help experienced workers restart their career by refreshing their skills and knowledge, networking with other professionals, and ultimately making a smooth transition back into the workforce. If you’re struggling to find talented professionals, see how redShift can help!