Careers in Technology - Q3 2021 by Mediaplanet UK&IE

Q3 2021 | A promotional supplement distributed on behalf of Mediaplanet, which takes sole responsibility for its content

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Careers in Technology

“Remote learning increases accessibility, organisations are able to build a more inclusive workforce with up-to-date digital skills.” ~Tom Lovell, Managing Director, TechSkills, a techUK company

“Opportunities are opening up for people with diverse backgrounds, particularly women, to encourage them to consider a tech career.”

~ Debbie Forster,

CEO, Tech Talent Charter

Showcasing the opportunities of digital skills and jobs to all Opportunities in digital technology should be accessible to all, especially at a time when millions have been left unemployed and large parts of the economy has been ravaged by the impacts of the pandemic.

he pandemic’s impact on employment has been unevenly felt, with women, ethnic minorities, part-time workers and those on low incomes hit hardest.1 These individuals must be encouraged and supported into roles that offer future opportunities and into a sector that needs their perspectives.

Tom Lovell Managing Director, TechSkills, a techUK company

Making adult education more accessible and appealing We believe that by signposting and helping fund bitesized industry-led training designed to fit around the learner and their life, we can address some of the biggest barriers to training and skilling. Remote learning increases accessibility and with increasing availability of online and virtual digital skills training, organisations are able to build a more inclusive workforce with up-todate digital skills. For FDM Group, the pandemic required a transition to virtual learning that provided the opportunity to widen participation and have greater outreach. As a result, FDM’s online training is more diverse with around 90 training classes involving 500 trainees taking place every day.2 Challenging stereotypes and surfacing diverse stories Industry also recognises the role it must play in producing inclusive spaces and supporting those from underrepresented groups to thrive in their businesses and in digital tech roles, which have previously been so heavily stereotyped as being the preserve of the few. Success stories and case studies are of critical

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By signposting and helping fund bite-sized industry-led training designed to fit around the learner and their life, we can address some of the biggest barriers to training and skilling. importance when inspiring and motivating individuals to commit to learning new skills and breaking down stereotypes. There are signs of positive movement. For example, last year saw more than a 20% increase in the number of girls taking A-level Computing.3 This new generation of talent will take a while to come through, against the backdrop of today’s job crisis, so now is the time to recommit to reaching those who may be considering switching careers or looking to return to work with an updated skill set. As an employer led organisation, TechSkills offers the Tech Industry Gold accreditation to programmes that deliver job-readiness for digital and tech careers, meeting industry standards for quality and relevance to employment. References 1. 15% of workers in sector which have shut down because of the coronavirus are from a minority ethnic background, compared to 12% of all workers, 57% are women, compared to a workforce average of 48%, and nearly 50% are under 35 years old. Low paid workers are more likely to work in shut down sectors and less likely to be able to work from home. 2. https://www.techuk.org/insights/case-studies/item/17542-creating-jobs-and-supportingthe-economy-during-covid-19/ 3. www.computerweekly.com/news/252468679/Computing-A-level-rises-in-popularitydespite-drop-in-overall-A-level-candidates

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Success stories and case studies are of critical importance when inspiring and motivating individuals to commit to learning new skills and breaking down stereotypes. ~Tom Lovell, Managing Director, TechSkills, a techUK company

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How to meet growing demand for immersive technologies skills Graduates are increasingly expected to have a diverse range of skills and expertise as they enter the fast-paced world of employment. Immersive skills training is helping prepare them to transition into this environment.

D Kirsten Cater Associate Dean and Professor of Human Computer Interaction Faculty of Engineering, University of Bristol WRITTEN BY Mark Nicholls

emand for expertise with immersive technologies has accelerated as companies seek to offer engaging and interactive experiences using virtual or augmented reality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry demand This has led the University of Bristol to introduce courses that ensure graduates are equipped with immersive skills to meet this growing demand. Careers applying this technology across numerous and diverse industries, from games and entertainment; theatre and live events; museums and heritage; marketing and tourism; architecture and design; through to simulation and healthcare. Professor Kirsten Cater, Associate Dean, Faculty of Engineering,

says: “With our recent suite of programmes, we are exploiting our cutting-edge research strengths to equip graduates with critical skills needed to meet this demand. “The breadth of our research across art and science allows us to create interdisciplinary degree programmes where we can utilise different expertise and strengths.” “Being able to work in interdisciplinary ways is a fantastic skill to have, allowing graduates to adapt, be resilient and apply their knowledge to the fast-pace of technological change in the world they are going into.” Immersive technologies Dr Paul Clarke, Senior Lecturer in Performance Studies, is working with creative industries partners to increase opportunities for students with skills in interactive media and

immersive storytelling. “Creative industries have pivoted their practices to use immersive technologies to engage and expand their audiences, leading to a significant skills gap,” he says. New courses - underpinned by the university’s expertise and academic excellence – include an MA in Immersive Arts and an MSc in Immersive Technologies. The courses offer students practical skills and hi-tech commercial facilities to enter this growing market and feature flexible learning opportunities for people re-skilling mid-career. The students learn from world leading academics, pioneering thoughtleaders, and work with industry partners through the £46 million MyWorld creative hub.

Dr Paul Clarke Senior Lecturer in Performance Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Bristol

Deep tech dream for the city of Bristol Innovative partnerships between academics, business incubators and start-up companies are helping transform Bristol into a global deep tech hub - with new career paths for talented students.

P Harry Destecroix CEO, Science Creates WRITTEN BY Mark Nicholls & Richard Elliott

artnerships between the University of Bristol, business incubators and start-up companies in the city are helping Bristol evolve into a leading hub for ‘deep tech’ technologies that provide solutions in science and engineering. From scientists to entrepreneurs One of the key drivers in this endeavour is Science Creates, a deep tech incubator that provides vital support for a growing community of start-up companies - many of them spun out from ground-breaking research discoveries made at the university. Founded and led by scientist and entrepreneur Dr Harry Destecroix, Science Creates provides three key ingredients to help deep tech firms flourish: purpose-built research facilities; targeted investment and a specialist network of academics,

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partners, investors and service providers. “Bristol has a unique opportunity to grow deep tech facilities, right in the city centre,” says Dr Destecroix. “These companies have a high level of ambition and we’re working to remove barriers so they can invent the future and have a real impact on the world.” Relationships between Bristol alumni, academics, partners and university and industry leaders is a crucial part of this - and offers exciting new career pathways for students in areas such as quantum engineering, synthetic biology and pharmaceuticals. A new ecosystem Dr Destecroix, a former Bristol PhD student, is himself no stranger to deep tech success. He originally set up Science Creates to provide lab space for his own spin-out

company, Ziylo, and saw that company’s pioneering ‘smart insulin’ technology purchased by the pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk in 2018 as part of a deal that could lead to new treatments for type 1 diabetes. As it continues to grow, the deep tech ecosystem in Bristol will benefit from many other key initiatives, including the Engine Shed collaboration space; Bristol VR lab; SETsquared and the forthcoming Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus and Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre.

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Creating career opportunities in the cyber security sector Digital technologies and the importance of cyber security have been brought sharply into focus as a result of social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic.

he COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of digital technologies to the fore, with people less able to conduct everyday tasks face-to-face. Yet it has also highlighted the importance of cyber security, privacy and keeping critical data and systems safe.

Awais Rashid Professor of Cyber Security, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bristol WRITTEN BY Mark Nicholls

Skills shortage Awais Rashid, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of Bristol, says: “A lot of functions in society have been able to continue because of digital technologies. But if we cannot have trust in these digital technologies, it has massive repercussions for society. That trust comes from the fact we have security built into these infrastructures.” With a global shortage of people with cyber security skills, he believes the sector offers significant career opportunities. Skills needed range from building hardware, software and secure operating systems through to understanding how cyber attackers operate, recognising risk and understanding law and regulation. Cyber security expertise The University of Bristol is an acknowledged centre for cyber security expertise, research and teaching in cyber security of large infrastructures that citizens use every day. It leads the National Cyber Security Programmefunded, CyBOK (Cyber Security Body of Knowledge); has a centre for doctorate training in cyber security; offers an MSc in mathematics for cyber security for analysing large-scale data in cyber security environments; and is launching a Master’s programme in cyber security of large infrastructures.

Images provided by University of Bristol

A big challenge is how to secure infrastructures in railways, water systems and power grids. “A very specific skill set is needed here,” says Professor Rashid. “For cyber security you do need to understand the theoretical concepts, but you cannot do much with them unless you know how to apply them into real systems.” To prepare students for real-world scenarios, his department has created a testbed of realistic systems, including a water plant that gives students the opportunity to experience the challenges they may face in the future.

Digital solutions to environmental problems High-performance computing and data science are helping Bristol’s geographical scientists take models of the environment to a new level.

M Tony Payne Professor of Glaciology, Faculty of Science, University of Bristol WRITTEN BY Mark Nicholls & Richard Elliott

ore powerful computing and the vast and evergrowing quantities of data generated by digital devices herald a new era for environmental research. With 70% of all data having geographical dimensions, highperformance computer analysis can increasingly be used to gain a better understanding of issues such as global warming, flood risk, sea-level rise, air and water pollution and urban development. The University of Bristol’s School of Geographical Sciences is a leading centre for environmental research, with extensive experience of using digital technologies and data science techniques (such as climate modelling and satellite image analysis) to address the latest scientific questions.

Skilling up Tony Payne, Professor of Glaciology in the School, notes that this revolution in quantitative geography has come with a growing demand from employers for graduates with specialist skills, including programming, data visualisation and software development. From October 2022, the School is launching two new MSc courses in Environmental Modelling and Data Analysis; and Geographical Data Science and Spatial Analytics to help meet this need. “To understand and address today’s global environmental challenges, you need to have advanced data analytical and modelling tools to help predict, forecast and tailor responses,” says Professor Payne.

“Increasingly, we are using these tools to help us understand how we can adapt to and mitigate environmental change.” Developing models These data driven studies are supported by Bristol’s Advanced Computing Research Centre, which gives all students access to highperformance and cloud computing. As a formal Met Office Academic Partner and close collaborator with the Environment Agency and the insurance industry, the School is continuing to push forward with models, projections and simulations that will benefit a range of sectors.

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Q&A

Encouraging the next generation of women in banking Gender diversity in technology has made progress but simply not enough. It’s a missed opportunity if we don’t have diverse thinking both for business and for women. It really is everyone’s responsibility to ensure we continue to challenge the status quo. We must build diverse talent for the immediate future and for the women who are our future leaders, those just starting their careers. ~ Jo Garnett, Managing Director, Head of Corporate GTSM & WIT Europe Co-Chair, Barclays

Sneha Joshl Business Analyst, Barclays

How long have you been working at Barclays? And how did you find your path into the company? I have been working at Barclays for a year and a half now after meeting some of senior leadership team during the Grace Hopper Conference in 2019. I learned about the numerous opportunities and interviewed shortly after. Things fell into place, and after a couple of months, I started as a developer in Compliance Technology at Barclays. What is it like working as a grad in a banking institution? Like most people, I used to think of Barclays as a bank where people deposit money or take loans. But it’s so much more than that. There are many opportunities to work in fraud detection, market abuse and surveillance, among others that I didn’t even know existed in a bank. I have come across numerous people who are willing

Mary Ridhima Golamari MRC Data Analytics, Barclays

I have come across numerous people who are willing to go out of their way and help us grads kickstart our careers. to go out of their way and help us grads kick-start our careers. What relationships have impacted your career in technology? I’m blessed to have some incredible mentors in this fastpaced industry. I have learned how to handle difficult situations, valuable technical concepts and tips and great advice about my career decisions.

What is it like for a grad working in the banking institution? Barclays has been incredibly supportive especially during the pandemic. Joining my first job out of university during the pandemic was not what I expected, but the journey was extremely smooth. As new grads we had an efficient online training program, coffee chats with senior executives and amazing mentors who ensured that we were feeling comfortable in our new role. Senior leadership in particular were immensely enthusiastic to talk to us about their teams, work and technology. I absolutely loved my time as a new grad at Barclays. What excites you most about technology? It is tough to pick one thing that excites me the most, but my favourite would have be the continuous learning. Technology is fast paced, modern and always evolving. A software, language or tool we learn today could become obsolete in a decade or more. New technology results in more innovation, making big

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impacts on its users and as IT professionals, we need to be on top of the ever-changing tech. This exciting learning curve is what keeps the passion alive. Who is your modern-day inspiration? Inspiration for me is a multifaceted concept. I am inspired by Steve Jobs for innovation, Melinda Gates for goodwill, Warren Buffett for entrepreneurship and Indra Nooyi for leadership. I am inspired by their ability to dream big and take risks. However, I am most inspired by individuals I meet in my daily life. My manager, colleagues, friends and everyone else who displays qualities that I want to emulate. Seeing them become successful despite tough challenges makes me think of them as role models. Success is not by chance; it is by choice.

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Alex Dimitrova Data Analyst, Barclays

What inspired you to embark on a career in technology? It was probably my curiosity more than anything. I actually studied languages at university but curiosity about computational propaganda let me into cybersecurity and then a degree in Digital New Tech Policy. I was, and still am, fascinated by the need to balance the externalities of innovation and the impact new inventions can have on societies and individuals. Once I started working in tech, I was fascinated by how varied the field is and how much there is to learn. It is just very difficult to be bored working in technology as every day is different and change is constant. How long have you been working at Barclays? And how did you find your path into the company? I joined Barclays three years ago as a summer intern in cybersecurity. I enjoyed my time so much that I came back two years ago as a graduate. I have spent the last two years working within Technology Resilience as a Project Manager and then as a Data Analyst

Mollie Bailes Workforce Strategy Analyst, Barclays

Eva Turya RFTF Cloud Programme Manager, Barclays

in the Chief Controls Office. I have only just rolled off the graduate scheme and am starting to find my path in the company on my own, but technology here is so big that there truly is a space for everyone.

Once I started working in tech, I was fascinated by how varied the field is and how much there is to learn. Who is your modern-day inspiration? Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB. She has an inspirational career both in the corporate and public sector, breaking the glass ceiling on numerous occasions. However, what I think is most inspiring about her is that as a leader she fights very outspokenly for diversity and inclusion, standing up against injustices she sees and creating opportunities for other women and underrepresented groups to shine. She is the number one guest at all my imaginary dinner parties.

How long have you been working at Barclays? to developing yourself, relationships and And how did you find your path into the knowledge. I think it is something we can company? all work to improve on an ongoing basis I have been at Barclays for just over two as we learn from mistakes, feedback and years, having recently rolled off the new experiences. Technology Graduate scheme last month. The scheme for me consisted What relationships have of two one-year rotations impacted your career in in different roles within a technology? Technology Analyst field. I have always been a big I love hearing how Being originally from a law supporter and admirer of background, I decided at the women have overcome women in leadership (not end of my degree that the at Barclays, but in all challenges and setbacks only legal industry wasn’t going workplaces I have been in). to challenge me in the way to achieve their potential I love hearing how women I wanted at that moment in have overcome challenges and realise their worth. time. This led me to applying and setbacks to achieve their for fintech graduate schemes potential and realise their and found Barclays to be one of the most worth, then as a result use their experiences diverse and rich in possibilities. to inspire other women to do the same – women supporting women is such a What is your most important skill? powerful tool. Communication – I believe this can be vital

As a newly appointed co-deputy chair for Barclays Women in Technology Europe (WIT Europe) I am excited and privileged to meet fellow female technologists representing, sharing their experiences and inspiring diversity in the world of technology. Diversity and inclusion is not a standalone, it must be core in how we live and what we do.

Find out more at /search.jobs.barclays/ next-generation-women-in-banking and follow #BarclaysWomeninTech

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I am living proof that it is never too late to retrain if you are willing to learn, challenge yourself and take a risk to grow.

Why women should take the leap into tech It’s never too late to consider a career in technology, even if you don’t have a traditional tech or academic background. There are opportunities for women to switch to tech from other sectors.

W Debbie Forster CEO, Tech Talent Charter

ith the rise of remote working and the growing importance of ecommerce, every company has realised it needs to be a digital company. This shift is creating new opportunities for a wide range of well-paid jobs in all sectors – especially in technology. However, for many people, the tech sector can still be regarded as a specialist field, with misconceptions that you must have niche qualifications or a long career history in the space. With so much diversification, that’s no longer the case. Opportunities are opening up for people with diverse backgrounds, particularly women, to encourage them to consider a tech career. New opportunities The Tech Talent Charter works with more than 600 companies across the UK, many of whom offer opportunities, training and return-to-work schemes to attract more women into tech. As part of our recent Doing It Anyway campaign, we uncovered some incredible women who came to tech through unusual routes, with backgrounds including teachers, marketeers, pastry-chefs and stay-at-home mums. The ‘squiggly’ career One woman who made the leap was Clare Streets. She moved into tech after enrolling on a free government-funded course and is now director at TechTalent Academy. “It’s easy to perceive the world of tech as one that you don’t understand or couldn’t be a part of unless you’re some kind of computer or maths genius,” Streets says. “However, the basic principles are very logical. Once you gain that understanding it’s easy to break down the jargon and understand that you can specialise in one area or easily access the learning to discover new areas of tech.” Her advice to other women is to worry less about linear routes and embrace the “squiggly career” that allows you to explore different avenues of tech.

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Never too late Patience Ndlovu also had a “squiggly” career path. After spending 10 years in the Royal Navy, she started learning to code in 2018. However, she was told she couldn’t get into tech without experience or a relevant degree. “When I realised how passionate I was about tech, I knew that I was not going to let not having a Computer Science degree or experience stop me from applying,” she says. “I found the right company that was willing to give me a chance because they saw my potential even without the degree or experience. They have supported me and given me the right opportunities to succeed. I am living proof that it is never too late to retrain if you are willing to learn, challenge yourself and take a risk to grow.”

When I realised how passionate I was about tech, I knew that I was not going to let not having a Computer Science degree or experience stop me from applying. Remember your worth These are just two examples of the value of “squiggly” careers. Whatever your background, you are likely to have transferable skills for the world of tech. With many companies proactively connecting with women without tech backgrounds and creating alternative routes into tech, there’s never been a better time to take the leap.

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Why intelligent use of IT is crucial on the journey to net zero A company must leverage its IT function properly if it wants to achieve its strategic aims and optimise its operations.

A Michael Wallis Group CIO, SSE WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

company can develop the world’s most exciting business strategy, notes Michael Wallis, Group CIO of energy company SSE, a generator of renewable electricity in the UK and Ireland. But unless it leverages technology in the most intelligent, creative and dynamic way, it will never achieve its goals. “It’s no good using IT for IT’s sake,” warns Wallis. “You have to match your technology to your business aims.” SSE’s aim is to be a leading company in the net zero world and is leveraging its IT function across all its business units in order to realise its green ambitions. This includes optimising the performance of its wind farms using data analytics. “By using data to make better decisions — about wind farm layouts, for example — we bring real science to the choices we make,” says Wallis.

have to operate at the cutting edge of IT just to keep up with the disruptive nature of digital tech. “The energy sector only started to embrace digital in the last five to ten years,” he says. “The pace of change now is really fast , so our IT function has to be agile, not just in the methods we use, but in the way we think.” That agility was put to the test during the pandemic, reveals Wallis, when delivery of IT services — to the business and customers — continued apace during the lockdown, with almost 16,000 people working from home. “It showed just how quickly we can respond when there’s a common purpose.” Going forward, Wallis sees IT at the heart of the company’s net zero mission. “It’s our role to be inspirational and help the business reimagine its operations with the use of innovative technology,” he says. “Sometimes it’s about demonstrating the art of the possible.”

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It’s our role to be inspirational and help the business reimagine its operations with the use of innovative technology.

Optimising operations with innovative tech Wallis warns that companies in the energy industry

The excitement and rewards of working in energy industry IT Energy sector IT roles aren’t just for tech experts. All kinds of opportunities are available requiring different skillsets, says a senior leader working at the sharp end of the industry.

I Lesleyanne Tufft Head of IT Delivery, SSE Renewables & Thermal WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

n the energy industry, technological innovation is moving at a head-spinning pace. But that’s what Lesleyanne Tufft, Head of IT Delivery, SSE Renewables & Thermal, loves about her job. “We’re increasingly using data and analytics to make real-time decisions,” she says. “That’s been a game-changer because it helps us work in a more agile way in the race to net zero. We’re also using artificial intelligence to further reduce our environmental impacts. So, IT is trailblazing in this space.” Working closely together to deliver a net zero strategy Naturally, a dynamic and diverse industry needs dynamic and diverse talent. “You don’t have to be a technical expert to work in

energy industry IT,” says Tufft. “We also need people with emotional intelligence, empathy, tenacity, creativity and good organisational skills who can understand the business and work closely to deliver its strategy.” Both the IT and energy sector are traditionally thought of as maledominated spaces. However, Tufft points out that her team features an even split of men and women; and, speaking personally, has never once felt undervalued or unheard. But there’s another reason why she enjoys this environment. “It’s exciting to be part of the energy sector at such an important time,” she says. “Our company is a principal partner of COP26, the climate change conference in Glasgow, so it’s rewarding to be able to support it and know we are

making a difference for people and the planet.” For anyone considering a career in IT in the energy sector, Tufft has a simple message. “Go for it!” she says. “You can tailor your strengths to the many different roles and opportunities available. You just have to be passionate about helping to save the planet — and up for a creative challenge.”

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A new generation of girls in tech – the Scrum Master extraordinaire At 20 years old, Jessica Levett is one of the youngest Scrum Masters for software development in the world. She attributes her success to the support she has received throughout her STEM career.

t all began when Jessica’s uncle signed her and her cousins up for the Stemettes Rise Hack for International Women’s Day in March 2016. From that point, she went on to take part in several events and interventions over the years including: the STS Sherpee Programme, Stemillions, the Beep Boop for Change Robotics Hack, O to the B, Meet the Stemettes @ BAE Systems, various Stemettes meetups, the Grace Hopper Conference, NASA, QA Agile Academy and STEM Mode In with GCHQ. “I have been with Stemettes since I was about 14 where I attended my first Hackathon and won an app designing competition. Little did I know how wonderfully my life would change from there” she says. Carving a pathway Jessica decided to take on an apprenticeship with a bank in order to fulfil her career goals: “I spent all my work holidays and weekends to attend Stemettes ceremonies and worked extra hours just so I could be there. They have dedicated so much of their time to benefiting me that I would like to continue to be part of that positive female empowering energy experienced during the trip to America (Grace Hopper Conference).” Perseverance in the STEM space Jessica then applied to be The Regional Stemettes representative for the South West in April 2021.“I have bought many agile training books leading up to this training session to get a head start as I want to make agile my career as soon as possible. I had a look into it and fell in love with it completely.” Life outside of STEM Jessica says her other interests include seeing the best in people and she has a passion for creating organic diversity within organisations and seeing the strengths in individuals. “I grew up as a young carer alongside my siblings in a multi abilities, multinational, multifaith household. I see the true beauty in being your own person and owning who you are as an individual and rocking it. When you start to see the positives in being unique then you will start to see such beauty in the world and open your eyes to another field of flowers.”

Jessica Levett, Stemette

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Is this the answer to our century old STEM conundrum? The UK’s STEM shortfall is a common challenge for our skills gap. A nation once famed as the cradle of the industrial revolution is watching its engineers and technicians retire with little sign of young replacements.

his shouldn’t come as a surprise. In 1884, a report praised the “knowledge of the masters and managers of industrial establishments on the Continent” compared to the UK. Too often snobbery, too little career advice, low attainment in subjects like maths and the under-representation of minority groups, including LGBT+ people and girls are responsible. In the 137 years since that report, none of these have been overcome.

Two in five pupils told us that better information during primary school would have led to better decisions in secondary school. Benefits of apprenticeships Many, including myself, now see apprenticeships as our best hope. But despite an overhaul, the battle against misperception continues. Take the 74% of students who consider degrees ‘prestigious’ and compare them to the 4% who feel the same about apprenticeships, despite employers like IBM, Microsoft and Capgemini offering highly regarded apprenticeships . The problem is not a lack of innovation. In 2010, Higher Apprenticeships and academic qualifications ushered in a new age of adult apprentices. In 2015, degree apprenticeships became attainable and 2017 saw stable funding via the apprenticeship levy. But like many challenges reframed for a modern world, it is a struggle over information.

Early career pathways Therefore careers advice must be offered earlier. Two in five pupils told us that better information during primary school would have led to better decisions in secondary school. Combine this with increased employer interactions at school and one of the final hurdles will be cleared. The evidence for this is clear. Almost 90% of young people say they haven’t received enough careers advice to make an informed decision. Inexcusably, almost a third say they received zero information about apprenticeships, despite more than half being interested in them. This must change. The most obvious route for reform comes in the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill. Alongside this, UCAS is investing heavily in Career Finder, our free tool available to the 700,000 young people who come to us annually for advice. In the past year, this tool has seen a 37% increase in views and a 24% rise in applications. With more businesses getting on board, government playing their part, young people getting better careers advice and UCAS stepping up more than ever, the UK’s century old STEM conundrum will finally be fixed.

John Cope Director of Strategy, Policy & Public Affairs, UCAS

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The important thing about setting up this network is that it should be seen as an opportunity for organisations to communicate both ways in terms of development and networking needs.

How can companies excel the careers of women in tech? If companies wish to develop, attract and retain their female tech talent, they need address the known barriers.

T Vanessa Vallely OBE Managing Director, We Are Tech Women

he number of women working in technology globally is 16%, in the UK it is 17% and these numbers have not changed in the past 10 years! Over the past five years many organisations have introduced internal development programmes and a number of not-for-profit organisations have sprung up to try to attract, retain and develop women in the industry. However, we are not seeing any results in terms of the percentages shifting, nor are we seeing women rise to the top in our organisations.

Some of these barriers are easy to address, whereas some may require culture change which invariably has to be led from the top. Barriers to accelerating careers There are many surveys that have looked at the barriers women face in terms of accelerating their careers in tech. These include access to on-the-job training, visibility of role models, access to senior leaders, internal opportunities not being shared fairly, sexism and lack of opportunities to build their network or forums to share their ideas. Some of these barriers are easy to address, whereas some may require culture change which invariably has to be led from the top. Companies need to be a little more innovative with the initiatives they put in place to support and accelerate the careers of their women in tech. Some ideas of how they could do this include:

1. Introducing a sponsorship programme. Companies should be looking to align a cohort of their women in tech to a senior leader. The senior leader’s role is to get to know their cohort, help with any development needs and then actively seek opportunities for these individuals across their organisations. The sponsor should also consider how they can allow their cohort to shadow them to meetings, introduce their cohort to their network and to provide examples of work that will allow them to understand what it is like to be in the sponsors role. 2. Setting up a women in tech network. This gives companies the opportunity to hear from their women in tech at a grass root level. It gives companies the opportunity to provide visibility to their senior leaders, address the barriers to progression plus it is a great way to help your women in tech grow their network across the organisation. The important thing about setting up this network is that it should be seen as an opportunity for organisations to communicate both ways in terms of development and networking needs. 3. Look at your data. It may be uncomfortable reading, but you must start somewhere. How many women do you have working in tech? Is this number increasing or decreasing year on year, if so, why? What’s your pay gap in that area? Who is getting promoted? Why are the women leaving? How are you attracting talent? What organisations are you aligned with to show you as an employer of choice for women? What external opportunities are you providing for our existing women in tech in order to retain your talent.

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For more on how we help women in tech in their careers, please visit WeAreTech Women.com

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With many companies proactively connecting with women without tech backgrounds and creating alternative routes into tech, there’s never been a better time to take the leap. ~Debbie Forster, CEO, Tech Talent Charter

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