In a bid to get diverse talent in the door, tech firm Cognizant has launched its Returnship Programme, an India-first initiative. Launched by the IT major, the programme offers a 12 week paid experience for technology professionals looking at restarting their careers after a break, irrespective of their prior professional role and position.
The Returnship programme is focused on providing returners with a supportive environment and access to training, upskilling, mentorship, and other resources. Professionals will work with cutting-edge technology through the programme and will subsequently be considered for full-time positions at Cognizant.
Cognizant, headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, United States, is a multinational company that provides business consulting, information technology, and outsourcing services. The company has shifted to work from anywhere model since March 2020.
“We are now extending our D&I (diversity and inclusion) philosophy beyond the workplace and into lives and careers, supporting those whose personal goals such as taking care of the family, raising a child, or pursuing a life calling have resulted in a professional break,” said, Rajesh Nambiar, Chairman & Managing Director, Cognizant.
In India, women professionals account for about 38 percent of the total workforce and nearly 45 percent of the workforce in tier-II cities. Female recruiting and retention targets for company leaders have been developed as part of the structured annual performance rating process at Cognizant.
A survey of 1,500 women reveals that the educational barriers prevent women from pursuing the careers they want and 73 percent of women want to change their careers.
“A break in a professional’s career can give an opportunity to reflect, find areas of focus, and return stronger to the next phase of a professional journey with a renewed sense of purpose. Many such talented professionals looking to return to the workforce are women, and Cognizant’s inaugural cohort includes women taking on engineering management roles in the digital engineering practice,” added, Rajesh.
The company is also making sure that diversity and inclusion are a source of innovation and creativity. The company has formed several affinity groups led by talented employees across the business. Each of these groups engages internally with employees and externally with clients and partners with a focus on three pillars: attract, hire and engage. All of Cognizant’s affinity groups are open to all employees.
Rajesh also emphasized the importance of inclusion and diversity in terms of having a more equitable workplace while developing more robust solutions for clients, challenging the status quo, and fuelling innovation and productivity. Cognizant is now aiming towards becoming a leader in closing the gender diversity gap in the technology industry.
