women in business 13
’Glass ceiling’: fact or opinion?
GCS Recruitment Specialists is a sponsor of The Business Magazine’s Women in Business Awards 2014. Joining GCS in 2003 after graduating from the University of Surrey, Lisa Forrester has become the most successful consultant in company history and is now the business manager for the GCS Thames Valley office, based in Reading
The ’glass ceiling’ for women in business is often treated as a matter of fact rather than opinion, but in many industry sectors it does seem to be reflected in the proportion of women in senior roles. The engineering and IT sectors of the economy show that it isn’t simply the leadership roles that display an imbalance with substantially more men than women – women are underrepresented throughout these industries.
Why does this disparity exist?
A recent report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research showed that only 19% of university computer science students are female, and of these only 9% go on to a career in IT. Statistically, out of every 100 technology graduates only two women will join the industry. The current estimate of the UK IT industry shows it is only 20% female, with the CEBR report projecting a further decrease in this number over the next few years. Many hiring managers would like to bring more women on to their teams but the reality is that there aren’t as many female applicants as required and it is the source of this that needs to be considered.
Gender inequality appears at A-level with figures showing that 33% of ICT and only 10% of computer studies students are female. This disproportion can also be seen in related areas of study, such as physics, which fewer female students opt to take up and consequently have less opportunity to pursue a career in technology or engineering.
Perhaps the key to tackle how these choices are made would be to interest girls in the potential of technology from a much younger age. The more aware these students are of a potential career path through IT and technology, the more likely they are to see it as a viable option.
The introduction of a new curriculum from September 2014 will hopefully play a big
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – JULY/AUGUST 2014 role in creating opportunity. It will involve
the compulsory study of computing and coding, and will be instrumental in raising future generations with IT as an essential (rather than optional) skill.
Participation from the IT industry itself is also a vital element in promoting this sector to younger generations. Currently 20% of UK IT businesses have representatives visiting schools and universities, specifically speaking with girls and young women about careers in technology. More involvement from companies will amplify this message.
Further initiatives are also committed to raising the profile of the industry. An example of this is TeenTech, a programme GCS sponsored in the Thames Valley in 2013, which aims to change the perception of IT in the mindset of young teenagers. The hope is that by demonstrating that technology can offer a challenging, exciting and rewarding career, children of both genders will make decisions at GCSE and A-Level that will better prepare them to join the IT industry.
Looking to the future is imperative but it is also essential that businesses look to their current workforce to consider how they can retain their existing female contingent. A 2013 report published by GCS highlighted the importance of flexibility to employees – flexible working arrangements were one of the most desired but least received benefits.
The advantages of flexibility is something that we have seen within GCS, with two members of the management team recently returning from maternity leave to continue their roles. These new mothers are able to work flexibly with understanding and support from the company.
At the other end of the spectrum, CEBR has released a study showing the impact of dementia on the working population. The effects of our aging population places a lot of strain on those in employment and it is recognised that it is often women who take up the carer’s role. CEBR’s research has found that 87% of businesses either currently had, or would consider offering, flexible hours to those workers who also had carer responsibilities and this hopefully will support those women who want to be able to continue to pursue their careers.
Is there a ’glass ceiling’?
Whether it is reality or perception, there is no doubt that if it is to be shattered it is essential that the technology industry is represented by more women. Women who not only choose this sector for an early- career job, but who are keen to remain in it and progress within it – and are engaged and supported by their employers to do so. We are sponsoring the Women in Business awards this year to underscore our commitment to the message that we all need to get involved, raise awareness and give more women opportunities in the workplace.
Details: Lisa Forrester
lisa.forrester@
gcsltd.com 0118-9563900
www.gcsltd.com
www.businessmag.co.uk
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