Equality | BT ramps up efforts to close gender skills gap

Various industries have stereotypical gender characteristics tied to them when it comes to jobs. Engineering is largely associated with men taking on positions, while the beauty sector is prone to more women working within the industry.

The same stereotypes can also be found in the tech industry, with women less likely to take up a role in the sector. This is supported by research from PwC who surveyed over 2,000 A-Level and university students.

It found that just three per cent of females would consider a career in technology as their first choice, while only 16% shared that they had a career in tech suggested to them. In addition, the data found that five per cent of leadership positions in the tech sector are held by women.  

These stats indicate a large gender skills gap in the tech sector, and now one company has set out plans on how it hopes to close its gender skills gap.