CEO and software specialists say inspiring school children is key to increasing the number of women in the sector
Novacroft founder and CEO Debra Charles and six women from the company’s 70-strong software development team were interviewed for a radio report on gender imbalance in the industry after research* revealed that just 14% of the country’s technology workforce is female.
With the sector booming in Northamptonshire, and recently-released government figures showing that 94,000 people in the East Midlands work in technology, BBC Northampton wanted to find out how local smart technology firms like Novacroft think the next generation of young women can be inspired to get involved.
In the interview, Debra said:
It is down to the industry to forge better links with young people before they make their career choices. Collaboration between commerce and schools is a good thing, to inspire children to get involved, to inspire girls to get involved.
She went on to talk about her involvement in the ‘100 Years of Women in Transport’ programme run by Novacroft’s client Transport for London, which goes into schools to engage, motivate and inspire girls to see transport as an ‘industry of choice’.
If we don’t encourage girls to get involved in the industry,’ Debra continued, ‘we won’t have the skills and infrastructure we need for the future. It is my responsibility as a business owner to help schools do more to set out the variety of careers on offer and to attract more women.
BBC Northampton also sought the views of members of Novacroft’s software development team – 33% of whom are women – about how they believe the industry is perceived and what the reality is for them.
Analyst Programmer Rachel Thayanithy said:
When I was at school I was aware that things were moving very fast in the technology industry and I really wanted to be part of that. I liked the fact that it wasn’t really something girls did: I liked the idea of being different! My daughters are inspired by what I do, because they see that I enjoy it so much.
Development Team Lead Shampa Kumar said:
I was the only girl in my group at school that took computer studies. I’m glad I did!’
Business Analyst Shahina Ali commented that:
If you just say computers it can seem like a massive, scary thing. But it’s not just a man’s world any more and it’s not just computers: there are so many different areas and job opportunities you can explore and get involved in.
Debra says:
It is the passion for technology of inspiring team members like Rachel, Shampa and Shahina that is enabling us to develop ever-smarter solutions for existing clients in public transport and beyond as well as entirely new and exciting innovations such as our Ucan-do-it reward and recognition programmes.
By enabling us to innovate and grow, they are doing their bit to make sure our business will continue to have new opportunities waiting for the next generation of young women inspired to get involved in our exciting industry.
* 4th Annual Women in Technology industry survey by Mortimer Spinks
