Leading software bootcamp Makers publishes whitepaper on the UK gender gap in tech with 5 recommendations for supporting women

Leading software bootcamp Makers has today (13 Dec) published a white paper setting out the challenges facing women across the tech industry today and recommendations to overcome them. 

“Re-coding Tech: Outlining Solutions for Gender Equality in the Tech Industry” is a whitepaper produced by the insights and learnings from the annual Women in Software campaign, an initiative that showcases women who are making a positive difference in the tech sector.

This report explores the current issues faced by women across tech and maps out the potential ways that individuals, organisations, and all members of our community can work towards as we enter 2022.

A Nominet report revealed that increasing the number of women working in IT could bring an added £2.6 billion a year for the UK’s economy.

Despite this, increasing the number of women in tech remains a challenge.  Fixing the issue of getting more women into tech has never been more relevant, as we face an upcoming labour shortage in the technology industry.

Over half of the UK workforce lack essential digital skills required for work, spiking fears that the nation is hurtling toward a digital skills shortage as companies start ramping up their post-pandemic recruitment efforts. 

Using data-driven insights and existing research, Re-coding Tech lays out five solutions for a more inclusive future and expands on how companies can better support women in tech.

The recommendations include:

1. the availability of mentorship programmes;
2. creating strong partnerships with academic institutions;
3. encouraging flexible working;
4. carrying out unconscious bias training and providing safe, and
5. regular opportunities for feedback on company culture