Misco calls for end to gender divide in IT industry

VAR demands industry gender balance to fuel UK innovation

Misco has become the latest industry player to highlight the impact of a lack of women in IT.

In a blog on Misco.co.uk titled "Investment in digital skills and women central to keeping UK ahead when it comes to innovation", the VAR said much still needs to be done to get girls into IT from a young age.

"While the recent A-Level results confirmed an increase in the uptake of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects in the UK, it appears that undertaking a career in technology is still a particularly difficult route to take - even more so for women," said the Misco blog.

"With the UK being considered a first-world IT-literate place to live and work, it seems more needs to be done to bridge both the gap in skills taught plus the gender divide."

The blog listed various pieces of research which suggest there may be a crisis in confidence among women when it comes to digital skills.

"While there are many complex reasons for girls dropping out of STEM subjects early, much of this unfortunately still tends to be grounded in 'self-perception' issues," continued the blog.

"Part of the solution must come from educating students on where job shortages are now, where they might be in future and how STEM can be a career choice for girls.

"With women making up half the workforce in the UK it's vital that the gender divide is quickly addressed as this drip feeds out into the economy and promotes greater innovation and more widespread, diverse thinking.

"Investment in technology in the classroom and putting a more rounded focus on STEM at an early age will help encourage more women into technology roles and prevent the UK economy being left behind," concluded the Misco blog.