Leading the way on women
A Sunderland software firm is highlighting the opportunities available to female employees in the wake of Friday’s International Women’s Day.
Sunderland Software Centre-based Saggezza has filmed a short video with people and capability manager Allison Cummins, to talk up the tech sector and the roles available to women looking for a rewarding career.
Allison, who has worked in the industry for more than a decade, said she was encouraged to see more females applying for roles in the industry but more needs to be done to highlight the opportunities.
She said: “I have worked with some really powerful, influential women and I think we need role models like these to have their voices heard – it sends an important message to young people that they too can succeed in tech.
“Days like International Women’s Day are important. We know that more needs to be done to encourage females to pursue careers in industries that they may not have seen as being accessible to them and we will always look to champion equality within the sector.”
The company’s growing team posed for a group picture, sporting this year’s ‘balance pose’, which is being used to draw attention to the need for parity between both genders.
Allison added: “The whole team, men and women, are behind this campaign as we all see the value that our female cohort brings to the business. We hope it sends a message to young people, and to their parents and influencers, that no career is out of reach to women.”
Saggezza has seen more females join its team in recent months with 12% of women now part of the company’s quickly expanding team.
Coun Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We have some fantastic businesses in Sunderland, many of which are led by strong, dynamic women who are helping to fly the flag for the city as a place to do business.
“I am delighted to see businesses in the city using their female role models to attract more young women into fields of work they may otherwise not have considered.”