UK women 'leaving IT profession'

Women in Britain are increasing leaving the IT industry, taking vital skills and experience with them, a new report claims.

Research conducted by trade association Intellect, in association with the Department of Trade and Industry and e-Skills UK, claims that there is a steep decline in the numbers of women working in the technology sector, with many put off by the lack of flexibility and the long-hours culture.

Women make up almost half (46 per cent) of the UK's workforce, but the percentage of women in IT jobs has fallen from around 19 to 21 per cent in 2000 to just 16 per cent, raising concerns about diversity within the industry.

The report suggests that the geeky public image of the IT sector, the male culture, the low number of women in management roles and a lack of awareness about the opportunities in the industry are contributing to the low number of female candidates.

Carrie Hartnell, Intellect programme manager, told Computer Active: "Women are not just leaving when they have children - they are leaving even earlier in their twenties. Perhaps even more concerning, is highly skilled women are leaving IT in their late 40s and early 50s, so we are losing highly skilled staff and senior female role models and mentors."

Intellect, the UK trade association for the IT, telecommunications and electronics industries is now urging technology workers to share their experiences relating to workplace diversity in order to create a more positive, diverse and equal environment.

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Date:11/01/2007 00:00:00