More work to be done to improve diversity in tech roles – Minister
GENDER DIVERSITY remains an issue across the technology sector, a new report from an industry charter has claimed.
The Tech Talent Charter’s first benchmark report found that while women hold 26 per cent of the technical roles within the businesses of its 200 signatories, the UK-wide average remains only 19 per cent. The Charter launched in 2018 as a commitment by businesses to be more proactive in delivering greater gender diversity in the UK tech workforce, including taking steps to recruit more women.
In its inaugural benchmarking report tracking progress so far, it said 36 per cent of its signatories already have policies in place to increase the number of women included in interview shortlists, with 32 per cent saying they will add them during 2019.
Signatories of the charter make several pledges in relation
to their approach to recruitment and retention, and so far includes the likes of BT, Microsoft and Vodafone.
Digital and Creative Industries Minister Margot James said more work was still needed to improve equality in the industry.
“One year on from the launch of the Tech Talent Charter, it’s encouraging to see that there’s real buy-in to improve the diversity of our workforce,” she said.
“However, with only one in five digital tech jobs nationally covered by women there is more work to do to get the balance right. Diversity makes good business sense and it’s positive to see smaller companies leading the way. I now want more of our larger companies to sign up to the Charter and commit to getting more women into tech jobs.”
The report suggests smaller businesses were better at promoting diversity, with 53 per cent of technical roles at micro-companies held by women, compared to just 19 per cent at large companies.
Debbie Foster, the chief executive of Tech Talent Charter, said: “We are delighted to see our smaller companies challenging assumptions that they are too small or too busy to focus on diversity.”