More needs to be done to bridge the gender gap currently seen in the tech sector if it is to fulfil its potential, trade body Tech Partnership has warned.
Tech Partnership analysed ONS and Blue Book data to assess the size of the digital economy, its workforce and the number of enterprises.
Unsurprisingly it found that the UK tech sector is in rude health but worryingly the research also revealed a staggering imbalance between the number of men and women in the industry.
And Margaret Sambell, director of strategy at Tech Parnership, has warned that the entire industry could be held back if more isn’t done to address the problem.
She said:
“The continued success of the tech industry could be constrained if employers cannot find the skilled people that they need, so addressing the gender imbalance is key to securing a talent pipeline for the future.
“The Tech Partnership employers are working to ensure that more girls choose tech subjects as part of their education, and are inspired by the bright future a career in tech can create for them.”
Tech Partnership is working on addressing the gap through with the Tech Future Girls Club scheme.
The out-of-the-box after-school club that has been specifically designed to encourage girls to stay engaged in IT and has drawn support from both inside the sector and government with Skills Minister Nick Boles recently visiting one such club.
Tech Partnership board member, Jacqui Ferguson, senior vice president, UK & Ireland, HP Enterprise Services said the investment in such schemes is vital if we are going to get more people engaged in tech.
She said:
“A career in technology is really exciting and it is vital that we get more people interested and increase diversity, which is why we are investing in TechFuture Girls clubs as well as other training initiatives and programmes.”
The full report can be read here.