Number of women in the digital sector falls to 27%

The latest figures from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills shows that the number of women in the British digital workforce is falling. The advisory body said on Tuesday (9th June 2015) that only 27 percent of employees in the digital sector were women, down from 33 percent in 2002. According to the Guardian, the UK average across industries is 47 percent.

Industry association techUK, which represents more than 850 companies, who collectively employ approximately 700,000 people, about half of all tech sector jobs in the UK, said that it is committed to working with its members to change this and has an active Women in Tech programme

techUK: Women in Tech Council

The Women in Tech Programme focus is on providing a network for women working in the technology industry. Its aims, through collaborative partnerships and alliances, are to:

• Promote and realise the benefits of diversity in the industry to improve the recruitment and retention of women in the IT industry and IT related jobs.
Work in an open and collaborative manner to inspire, lead and influence action being taken to increase the number of women in tech.
• Promote dialogue in the workplace, through the engagement of employers and employees, to fully utilise the IT and management skills of women in the industry.
This will include technical and professional knowledge sharing and support.
• Undertake research and disseminate conclusions regarding the impact of the IT working environment on the careers of women.
• Raise the profile of women in the industry in partnership with IT, electronics and telecommunications industry employers, suppliers, and the Government

For further information visit www.techuk.org