Why this new program could be the answer to the tech talent shortage
“To unleash the true potential of our economy, we must empower women, granting them agency and boosting their participation in tech careers.” – Emma Pudney
As one of the fastest growing and highest paid industries in Australia, the tech sector is vital to Australia’s economy. However, the global skills shortage continues to be a challenge for this industry, now and in the future.
Increasing the number of women in tech roles is critical to addressing this challenge. Yet, women are still grossly underrepresented in the sector.
Despite the industry's best efforts to get more women into tech careers, only 1.6% of women studied Information Technology (vs 6.3% of men) in 2022, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. That is 20K women compared to 53K men. And, alarmingly, less women convert into technology careers than men. This is not great news for the industry from either a skills shortage or gender diversity perspective.
The question is, how do we get more women into tech?
When you’re not in the technology game, often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a tech role is a lonely figure coding away in a dark room. This isn’t the most appealing or relatable image for a young girl. In fact, few people aspire to this image. to this that most public tech icons are male. And, by the time girls are making elective subject decisions at school, it’s too late. They’ve already been influenced by stereotypes, the media and their family in more traditional directions.
So, what can the industry do about this ongoing challenge? And how can tech companies overcome this skills shortage to ensure they have a pipeline of talent into the future?
The answer is Tech Career Paths for Girls.
A new (recently piloted) program, designed to get the 98.4% of girls not studying technology, excited about a career in tech.
We spoke to Tech Career Paths 4 Girls Founder, Emma Pudney, to hear about her new program and what it could mean for the future of young girls in Australia.
A platform designed to inspire more girls into tech
As a prominent figure in the technology world with a passion for inspiring women at events and on panels, Emma wanted to do more for women and the industry. Something that would have tangible benefits beyond sharing her story.
She launched Tech Career Paths 4 Girls to build girls’ awareness of the opportunities in the technology sector and, “ smash through the stereotype of that lone figure coding away in a dark room.”
Plugging the talent shortage
Given women make up half the population and bring diverse skillsets to otherwise homogenous tech companies, Tech Career Paths 4 Girls will create a pipeline of career-ready students that will boost the number of women taking up tech careers. And effectively plug the talent shortage.
Helping women become financially independent
Emma is passionate about building a thriving economy by addressing the tech talent shortage, but on a more personal level, Emma views Tech Career Paths 4 Girls as a tool to empower future generations of women by fostering financial independence. Since Australian women earn 13.3% less than men, retire with 47% less Super and almost half rely on their partner’s income to retire, Tech Career Paths 4 Girls’ ambitions are far reaching – impacting the individual, the industry and the economy.
How will the program address the talent shortage?
In an effort to address the talent shortage, Tech Career Paths 4 Girls is designed to overcome barriers to entry, build awareness and excitement about a career in technology, and help tech companies build a future pipeline of talent as early as possible.
1. Addressing barriers to entry
Given the obstacles that prevent girls from taking on tech-related subjects and careers, the program will boost participation through:
· Timing: Targeting girls in years 5, 6 and 7, before career aspirations have been firmed
· Relatability: Linking tech roles to human outcomes that appeal to girls’ interests, while challenging narrow views of tech careers
· Role models: Connecting students to a diverse range of women in the industry, so they have relatable role models to aspire to.
2. Ensuring students are career-ready
With so few women joining the tech industry and many dropping out, preparing young girls for a career in tech is one way Emma believes we can flip the numbers. Once the program has gained momentum among the female student population, Emma intends to introduce it to boys too. As she says, “It’s just as important to change the mindsets of future generations of men towards the tech industry, and showcasing female role models and achievements in a subtle, engaging way is part of this.”
How the program will achieve this:
- Exposure to real-world and relatable technology careers
Students will explore the tech world through an interactive, online “build your own career adventure” platform and hands-on workshops. Through the platform, they’ll engage with real-world stories and examples of where a tech career could lead them. Whether that’s creating wearable IOT lenses for frontline firefighters that save lives. Working in sustainability. Or implementing life-saving safety features in electric vehicles, for example.
During the hands-on workshops co-developed with sponsors, they get to interact with in-person role models and perform hands-on tech activities through the guise of a tech genius superhero, to solve cyber mysteries.
- Engagement with female role models
Girls will also get the chance to connect with role models through a variety of workshops and videos. Female tech experts from sponsor companies will be invited to tell inspiring stories about their careers, in an informal setting that allows interaction between tech companies and students.
- Hands-on workshops
Following their exposure to female role models, students will put what they’ve learnt into practice with a fun, hands-on tech activity. Again, this will be adventure based with tech activities wrapped up inside storytelling, problem- solving and mystery. Emma likes to think of it as the “Bolognese Strategy”. As she says, “We hide the geeky activities inside a suspenseful story involving clues, puzzles and mysteries - the same way parents hide vegetables in Bolognese sauce.” The aim is to reinforce students’ learning, keep them engaged and build their skills confidence.
3. Creating a future pipeline of talent
For tech companies looking to future-proof their workforce, getting involved with Tech Career Paths 4 Girls as a corporate sponsor could be the key to nurturing a pipeline of talent.
As a corporate sponsor, tech companies will have the chance to:
· Promote their brand, culture and diversity offering, putting you front of mind early in the career decision-making process
· Showcase female talent to inspire, prepare and lead the way for younger generations entering the industry for the first time
· Access program insights and data, to help you better attract, engage and retain the workforce of tomorrow via program participation.
· And in the energetic spirit of Emma, “Have a tone of fun whilst doing it!”
However, Emma emphasises, “Sponsorship is not all about money, it’s also about time. The program’s success is dependent on the breadth and creativity of the careers’ platform and workshops. Having sponsor company teams dedicate some of their volunteer time can be just as impactful as providing money to scale the platform.
How will we know the program’s been successful?
While the Tech Career Paths 4 Girls platform is still in its infancy, the results from its first pilot are promising. With 62% of students more likely to consider a career in tech, the program also had a positive impact on girls’ tech skills confidence while changing perceptions of what a tech career could be. For example, from “video gaming” before the program to “taking on the world” after the program.
What’s the potential impact on the tech industry?
As an industry that’s growing 4x faster than the industry average and is the 2nd highest paying in Australia (2023), boosting women’s participation in tech careers will have a ripple effect across Australia. Not only will it give women the agency to become financially independent, but it will strengthen the tech industry and the economy.
As Emma reinforces, “We know – and there are studies to prove it - that gender diverse companies outperform homogenous ones. Their financial and people performance, team dynamics, productivity and ability to run to schedule and on budget are all greatly improved.”
“And” she continues, “Australia relies on high performing tech companies for the economy to thrive.”
How you can future-proof your workforce
Current efforts to attract, cross-train and retain women in tech are falling short. The tech companies that succeed tomorrow are the ones that invest in nurturing a reliable, skilled and gender diverse workforce today.
The more companies that support Tech Career Paths 4 Girls, the greater the impact tech leaders can have on women, the industry and the economy.
Become a corporate sponsor and future-proof your workforce.