As a recruitment agency, we are committed to helping address gender imbalance within STEM roles. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their passions and reach their full potential, regardless of their gender. As we kick off our 5th year 'Celebrating Women in STEM', we are proud of the progress we continue to make as a business, but we know there is still more work to do. The recent closure of the UK Tech Talent Charter, which was set up in 2015 to increase diversity across the technology sector, was not only a shock but also very sad news for the industry. Some of the reasons cited for its closure included diversity being sidelined and many organisations ‘quiet-quitting’ their DE&I strategies. The importance of DE&I within the workplace cannot be overstated and it is critically important that we all do what we can to ensure DE&I is a natural part of our workplace culture and that we are taking steps to address the technology gender gap – even in difficult times.
In our 5th ‘Celebrating Women in STEM’ campaign, we take time to reflect on the importance of initiatives such as this one and gather insights from leaders across the sector on what we can do to close the technology gap.
Firstly, we hear from Karen Meechan, CEO at ScotlandIS, the membership and cluster management organisation for Scotland’s Digital Technologies Industry:
“As someone who champions the critical importance of supporting initiatives that celebrate women in STEM, I am delighted to offer my thoughts on why it is crucial that we continue to support initiatives like this. In an industry that thrives on innovation and diverse perspectives, it is imperative that we recognise and uplift the contributions of women who are shaping the future of technology.
Women in STEM bring unique insights and solutions to the table, which in turn helps in driving progress and creating a more inclusive and dynamic environment. By supporting initiatives that highlight their achievements and provide them with the resources and opportunities they deserve, we not only honour their work but also inspire the next generation of female leaders. Despite our best efforts, it is clear that we need to do more. The dial has not shifted far enough, and women remain underrepresented in many areas of STEM. This calls for a renewed commitment to breaking down barriers and creating pathways for women to thrive. We must continue to push for systemic changes that ensure equal opportunities and support for all, recognising that our industry’s future success depends on it.
Our commitment to these initiatives is not just about equity; it is about harnessing the full potential of our industry. Together, we can create a landscape where talent and creativity know no gender boundaries, and where every individual has the chance to excel and innovate.”
We also spoke to a number of IT Leaders in our network to learn more about the great work that’s going on and where we could improve to see positive changes in the future.
Here are six key themes from their thoughts which we hope will inspire action:
Gender Pay Equity: Regularly reviewing and adjusting compensation packages to ensure fairness and address any disparities, particularly at higher levels.
Talent Identification and Promotion: Actively identifying and promoting female talent, building confidence, and raising profiles through community involvement and public speaking opportunities.
Inclusive Networks and Recruitment: Establishing networks and inclusive recruitment processes to spotlight women’s roles, promote opportunities, and create safe spaces for discussion and growth. Nurturing those networks to ensure women continue to see STEM roles as a viable career for them as their priorities change.
Leadership and Skill Development: Supporting women through leadership programs, coaching, and mentoring initiatives helps to build strong skill bases and foster professional growth. Leveraging successful programmes, organisations can advocate for similar government-funded bodies to focus on various areas of technology. By incorporating coaching and mentoring, women can receive personalised guidance and support from various levels within the organisation and out with the organisation, empowering them to thrive and lead in technology.
Mindset: As women progress within organisations, they can be powerful role models and catalysts of change. By adopting a mindset of ‘lift others as you rise’, women can advocate other females behind and around them and support one another to develop and continue their careers within technology.
Community Engagement and Role Modelling: Encouraging women to participate in community groups, share their experiences, and act as role models. This includes outreach to schools and colleges to inspire the next generation of women in technology.
We'd love to hear what initiatives are you working on to inspire and support the next generation of women in STEM? Get in touch by email: communications@headresourcing.com.
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