We consistently see and hear about a shortage of tech talent in the news. This issue is growing, as the need for tech talent far surpasses the available supply chain. In fact, a recent global report from Gartner states that IT executives list IT talent shortages as the most significant barrier to adopting 64% of emerging technologies, ahead of cost and security. This is a staggering increase from only 4% in 2020.
As an industry, this tech talent gap will negatively impact innovation, adoption, and ultimately our ability to compete in an increasingly tech-first world. Now, let me just say, there are plenty of people with more expertise than this analyst on fixing our education systems, job journeys, and STEM issues overall. However, as a female in the industry, I can’t help but think that there is one simple element we could start to work on right now to help: keeping women in our industry.
Important Statistics for Women in Tech
Let’s look at a few statistics to shed some light on the causes and effects of the gender gap in the technology industry and why, if we perhaps focused some attention on this issue, we could at least conserve more talent in our industry.
As an industry, this tech talent gap will negatively impact innovation, adoption, and ultimately our ability to compete in an increasingly tech-first world. Now, let me just say, there are plenty of people with more expertise than this analyst on fixing our education systems, job journeys, and STEM issues overall. However, as a female in the industry, I can’t help but think that there is one simple element we could start to work on right now to help: keeping women in our industry.
Important Statistics for Women in Tech
Let’s look at a few statistics to shed some light on the causes and effects of the gender gap in the technology industry and why, if we perhaps focused some attention on this issue, we could at least conserve more talent in our industry.
- Only 24% of computing jobs are held by women. With such a low percentage of women in tech, we have no women to spare in the industry
- These very same women, already in short supply, are leaving the tech industry at a 45% higher rate than men.
- Women in tech also report facing more burnout than their male colleagues during the pandemic. A report from TrustRadius showed that 57% of women surveyed said they experienced more burnout than normal during the pandemic, compared to 36% of men who felt the same.
- When surveyed by JS Group in May of 2022 63% of women said they felt a declining sense of belonging in the tech industry and 44% believed their prospects for success had further diminished over the same time the year prior.
- In 1984, 35% of tech roles were held by women. In 2018, 32% were held by women. Now, in 2022, the forecast is even lower. This declining trend is a symptom of the change in our overall talent management systems. We are making it simply too hard to be a woman in technology. Period.
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Continue reading: https://accelerationeconomy.com/future-office-of-the-cxo/how-to-employ-and-empower-more-women-in-tech/
