New initiative to drive 5,000 more females into tech sector

Technology recruitment consultancy Empiric has launched a new initiative to inspire 5,000 more females to pursue careers within technology roles in the UK by 2020.

Its Future Tech Girls campaign will work with schools and colleges to place students into relevant work experience opportunities with key tech employers. Empiric will draw on its network of clients and candidates to facilitate the placements.

The initiative comes in response to dwindling numbers of women in the technology sector – only 17% of the workforce is female. 

By the end of 2016, Empiric aims for Future Tech Girls to support a minimum of 100 meaningful work experience placements for Year 10 girls across London who are studying ICT or computing at GCSE level.

Companies including RBS, JP Morgan, Hive, VE Interactive and Digital Catapult have all agreed to be involved. Tech London Advocates and the Greater London Authority are also lending their support. 

Sam Kamyar, co-founder of Future Tech Girls and managing director at Empiric, said: “While the tech community is already making huge strides in addressing gender disparity across the sector, we aim for Future Tech Girls to add an extra dimension to the industry-wide mission to create a more balanced workforce.” 

“We don’t have a magic wand, but by working collaboratively with similarly-minded organisations, we can increase the number of women working in technology.” 

“Fast forward five years, and I hope that this initiative is integral to a shift towards sustainably and strategically getting more girls into tech.”