SECTOR FOCUS: SKILLS
he number of women working in information technology (IT) teams in the UK is falling, prompting a demand
SPONSORED BY: SPIRE PARKWAY HOSPITAL
IT fails to attract women T
for a change of culture within the industry. According to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT,
Don’t be caught out by the fun run hangover
By James Ramos Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Many of you will have trained hard for the variety of fun runs taking place across the region, either wanting to fulfil a personal goal or to raise funds for charity. I often see patients who
have ignored pain during training, the race itself and after the course has been completed, believing that the pain is normal. Minor pain and twinges are
part of the course for any long-term training programme and can be reduced by with warm-up and warm down programmes, as well as a training schedule. However, there are occasions when ignoring pain could be storing up longer-term problems. This is especially so when
pain is felt for longer than four weeks. By ignoring the first signs that something is wrong, you could inadvertently be extending your recovery time. If you are experiencing pain
while walking or climbing stairs for more than four weeks, have swelling that persists for more than three weeks, despite rest, icing, compression and elevation, or you have the presence of pins and needles for more than one week, medical advice should be sought. This is also the case if you are not able to raise your heels or you are getting severe heel pain. Many runners are focused
on achieving their running goals, but when the race is over, they must continue to listen to their bodies as injuries can still be emerging.
For further information, please visit
www.spireparkway.com or call 0121 704 5530
44 CHAMBERLINK JULY/AUGUST 2015
the number of women in IT has fallen from more than 20 per cent to 16 per cent in recent years. Gillian Arnold, chair of BCSWomen, a specialist
group in the Institute that supports women in IT, said: “If the UK is going to fill its skills gap in technology, remain competitive and be a leader in innovation then we need to encourage all businesses to develop a culture that supports diversity in their IT departments. Employers can support diversity by considering such things as how they recruit, and retain women. This means looking at recruitment practices, unconscious bias, pay gaps, flexible working options and lots more.
‘Hopefully we will start to see the numbers of girls studying computing increasing following the introduction of the new computing curriculum.
“When we get this right, the research suggests that companies benefit from greater earnings and profits and better innovation. “However, we also need to encourage girls to
study computing at schools and university so that employers have a talent pool to select from; hopefully we will start to see the numbers of girls studying computing increasing following the introduction of the new computing curriculum. “Finally, we also need to provide role models for
girls and women so that they can identify with the profession, understand how they could be part of it and also realise that the opportunities on offer are very wide ranging – it’s not all coding.”
Gillian Arnold: culture change is needed Jordan realises digital dream
A BIrmingham teenager is the first participant to land a full blown apprenticeship as part of the BBC’s new nationwide ‘Make it Digital’ scheme. Following a successful work
placement at digital creative agency Bareface Media, 18-year-old Jordan Walker is set to begin a 12- month developer and digital designer apprenticeship with the Custard Factory-based agency, which will help prepare him for full- time employment. The former Aston Manor
Academy pupil was a guest speaker when the Mailbox-based BBC Academy (the new centre of excellence for recruitment and talent development) recently launched the pilot phase of its new Make it Digital traineeship. He spoke so passionately about his place for a career in the sector that Bareface Media managing director Simon Morris offered him a placement there and then.
Making it digital (L-R): Noel Dunne, Claire Paul, BBC head of new talent, Simon Morris and Jordan Walker
Jordan said: “I can’t wait to get
started. I’ve learnt so much already about the likes of Google Analytics and how to make websites responsive across all platforms, but to land a proper digital apprenticeship out of it means everything to me. “I just had to grasp this fantastic
opportunity, because I worked out going to university for three to four years would put me £50,000 in debt, which isn’t really an option. Plus, this way I’ll get lots of proper experience on the job with a digital agency that’s really going places and I reckon employers will value that even more than a degree.”
the most interesting issues of our time are being solved through technology and digital innovation. “To get more young
women interested in joining the digital revolution, we need to debunk a few myths.”
The Institute’s call for action is being backed by a
month long online campaign which features female role models talking about their experiences of IT. Baroness Shields, Minister for Internet Safety and
Security, said: “When it comes to girls, our industry has a PR problem. This is not just an issue we are facing here in the UK, but a global problem that needs tackling. Tech is not appealing to enough young women as a career opportunity. “Clearly this isn’t because tech is boring - some of
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