K
Kathleen Martin
Guest
Women in the tech sector, both globally and in the UK, feel a lack of training opportunities is acting as a barrier for more diversity in the industry.
Research by Skillsoft found that 32% of women worldwide believe a lack of training it one of the biggest challenges they had faced throughout their tech careers, while 38% of women in the UK said they were worried about the lack of training opportunities in the sector.
Potoula Chresomales, senior vice-president of product management at Skillsoft, said: “Organisations around the globe are looking for ways to address their skills gaps, and in many cases, the answer lies within via their existing workforce.
“Women make up less than 40% of the global workforce, and for that number to increase, female employees must be empowered with continuous training, professional development and career advancement, as well as equal pay.”
There are a number of reasons young girls and women choose to not go into tech careers, including a perception that technology roles are not for them, a lack of inclusion in the workplace, and a lack of accessible or visible role models to aspire towards.
A lack of skills training was not the only barrier Skillsoft found, with a quarter of women in the global tech sector saying that a lack of diversity had acted as an obstacle and 23% saying a lack of inclusion had affected their careers.
Just under 20% also said harassment is a challenge they have faced during their tech careers.
Women in the UK said they were worried by a lack of work-life balance, as well as a lack of equal pay – 32% of UK respondents said that a lack of equal pay is one the biggest barriers they face in their role. In 2016, a study found that women in the UK technology industry make on average 9% less than their male counterparts.
Almost 60% of respondents asked in the UK said that training and professional development are an important part of their roles and careers, but only 42% of women globally said they are offered these opportunities by their employers.
Continue reading: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252510521/Women-in-tech-lack-training-opportunities-says-Skillsoft
Research by Skillsoft found that 32% of women worldwide believe a lack of training it one of the biggest challenges they had faced throughout their tech careers, while 38% of women in the UK said they were worried about the lack of training opportunities in the sector.
Potoula Chresomales, senior vice-president of product management at Skillsoft, said: “Organisations around the globe are looking for ways to address their skills gaps, and in many cases, the answer lies within via their existing workforce.
“Women make up less than 40% of the global workforce, and for that number to increase, female employees must be empowered with continuous training, professional development and career advancement, as well as equal pay.”
There are a number of reasons young girls and women choose to not go into tech careers, including a perception that technology roles are not for them, a lack of inclusion in the workplace, and a lack of accessible or visible role models to aspire towards.
A lack of skills training was not the only barrier Skillsoft found, with a quarter of women in the global tech sector saying that a lack of diversity had acted as an obstacle and 23% saying a lack of inclusion had affected their careers.
Just under 20% also said harassment is a challenge they have faced during their tech careers.
Women in the UK said they were worried by a lack of work-life balance, as well as a lack of equal pay – 32% of UK respondents said that a lack of equal pay is one the biggest barriers they face in their role. In 2016, a study found that women in the UK technology industry make on average 9% less than their male counterparts.
Almost 60% of respondents asked in the UK said that training and professional development are an important part of their roles and careers, but only 42% of women globally said they are offered these opportunities by their employers.
Continue reading: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252510521/Women-in-tech-lack-training-opportunities-says-Skillsoft
