Boosting Women in Tech: New Initiatives Launched
The UK government has launched a new multi-million pound scheme to get more women into the tech industry. The £4 million program aims to provide 300 women with coaching and support with interview preparation, as well as paid work placements of at least six months at SMBs across the country.
Returnship Pilot Scheme
Meanwhile, a new “returnship” pilot scheme aims to help software developers re-enter the workforce via senior tech roles in government after time away. Piloted with the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice, it will be open to any software developers who have been away from work for 18 months or more – such as women who have been caring for children.
“Women aren’t being given a fair shot in tech – whether that’s getting into the sector, staying in it, or returning after time away bringing up their families,” said technology secretary Liz Kendall. “If we don’t address these issues now, we’ll still be having this conversation in decades’ time, and that isn’t good enough.”
Encouraging Careers in Tech
A new TechFirst Girls Competition will be rolled out to girls across the country later this year, with the aim of getting more girls to consider a future in tech. Rolled out in partnership with IBM, the competition will see thousands of 12 and 13 year old girls compete in challenges related to AI and coding.
The projects build on the launch of the Women in Tech Taskforce in December, which brings together leading female tech figures with the aim of getting more women entering, progressing, staying, and leading in tech. “These aren’t warm words – they’re real jobs, real placements, and real routes back in through a door that has been too hard to open, for too long,” said Kendall.
New Proposals for Career Support
Separately, Kendall has proposed a new voluntary charter for the research community aimed at making it easier for women to build research careers. This includes commitments to paid maternity leave for PhD students, more help to return to work, and more flexible working options.
The government will more than double its support for the Daphne Jackson Trust from £1.7 million to £4 million per year, boosting the number of fully-funded fellowships it offers women from 15 to 25. Similarly, the Trust will launch up to 15 new Research Technical Professional Fellowships per year, a program for retraining and reskilling research technicians who are vital to UK science as they return to R&D.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the new initiatives launched by the UK government aim to boost the number of women in tech and provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed. With the returnship pilot scheme, TechFirst Girls Competition, and new proposals for career support, the government is taking a comprehensive approach to addressing the issues faced by women in tech.
For example, the returnship pilot scheme will provide women with the opportunity to re-enter the workforce in senior tech roles, while the TechFirst Girls Competition will encourage girls to consider a future in tech. Additionally, the new proposals for career support will make it easier for women to build research careers and return to work after time away.
Therefore, it is essential to support these initiatives and provide women with the opportunities they deserve. By doing so, we can create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry that benefits everyone. Finally, we must continue to work towards a future where women have equal opportunities in tech and can succeed without facing barriers.
