UK government launches new measures to tackle tech industry gender gap
The move comes as women leaving the sector is costing the economy up to £3.5bn a year
The UK government has unveiled a package of measures to tackle the gender imbalance in the tech industry.
The initiative includes a £4m TechFirst Women’s Programme, which will reportedly fund 300 paid placements in technology roles across SMEs.
Participants will also receive coaching and interview preparation support to help them transition into digital careers.
The roles are designed to help women build technical skills, gain industry experience and progress in the sector.
Alongside this, the government will launch a pilot “returnship” track in partnership with the Home Office and Ministry of Justice.
The scheme will aim to help software developers return to the workforce after career breaks.
The programme will target professionals who have been out of work for 18 months or more, addressing the barriers many returners, particularly women, face when attempting to re-enter the IT industry.
To encourage interest in technology at an earlier stage, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will also introduce the TechFirst Girls Competition in partnership with IBM.
The initiative will engage thousands of 12- to 13-year-old girls through practical challenges focused on sectors such as AI and coding, aimed at showcasing potential career paths in the sector.
The announcement also includes a Call for Evidence from the Women in Tech Taskforce, which is seeking insights on how best to support women entering and progressing in emerging technology fields, including AI.
Launched in December, the Women in Tech Taskforce aims to improve access, visibility and career pathways for women in tech.
The initiative is being led by Liz Kendall, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology.
These measures come as women leaving the tech workforce is estimated to cost the UK economy between £2bn and £3.5bn each year, according to a Lovelace Report from WeAreTechWomen in partnership with Oliver Wyman.
“Upskilling and reskilling women in digital skills must be a priority,” said Sheila Flavell CBE, COO of FDM Group.
“From supporting women through early education to providing clear pathways into technical and leadership roles, businesses and government need to work together to invest in training that equips women with in-demand digital and AI skills.
“This should also include dedicated pathways for women returners looking to re-enter the workforce after a career break, ensuring experienced talent is not lost to the tech sector.”
Linda Benjamin, VP of product development at AND Digital, added that rigid hiring practices can prevent experienced professionals from returning to the industry.
“Reskilling women represents one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to close digital vacancies, protect roles from AI disruption, and retain institutional knowledge.
“But progress cannot stop at hiring alone. Organisations must also expand access to sponsorship and create fair leadership pathways that enable women to pivot into emerging areas like AI.”