Now in its third year, CommBank's 12-week Career Comeback Program is helping experienced professionals overcome the barriers of returning to the corporate workforce.
Targeting individuals who have taken a career break of two years or more, the specially designed program in the Bank's Institutional business offers re-entry support and training, with the potential to roll into a permanent position at the program's conclusion.
Group Executive of Institutional Business and Markets (IB&M) Andrew Hinchliff said the program's success is validated by the fact that 100 per cent of participants have gone on to accept long-term opportunities at CommBank.
"The Career Commback Program's unique structure of providing a dedicated mentor, access to career coaching, and comprehensive training, ensures participants are set up for success from the beginning, allowing them to seamlessly transition back into a corporate career," Mr Hinchliff said.
"As underemployment remains at 5.9 per cent nationally, there is a significant gap for people with diverse backgrounds and skills to contribute to a strong and productive workforce, bringing with them the value of their experiences.
"We've seen participants join a wide range of roles across the business, whether in corporate governance, sales, analytics or technology, with the multiple roles available accommodating a variety of experiences and interests."
Marion Zalk is a 2022 participant who stepped away from her corporate IT career to start a family and complete a PhD in Information Systems, before working as a lecturer at the University of Melbourne.
She's now an Associate Director in IB&M's Quant, Data, Analytics and Technology (QDAT) division, which joins the institutional banking and tech sides of CBA.
"I could not have imagined ever merging what I've learned in academia and in my previous experience together in my new role," said Ms Zalk.
"Now, I couldn't speak highly enough of the program if I tried. CBA has been great."
Applications for the 2023 Career Comeback Program are now open and close at 11:55pm (Syd/Melb time) on Friday 14 October 2022. Successful candidates of the program will commence in March 2023.
