A new programme launched today will offer refresher training to female IT workers who want to get back to work after maternity leave or career breaks.
According to a survey from the Office of National Statistics, some three-quarters of women with qualifications in science, engineering or technology are not working in jobs which use those skills.
The initiative will hopefully help battle that gap. It will be delivered by software development and consulting house Thoughtworks and is being sponsored by not-for-profit organisation Equalitec, which aims to assist in the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in IT. The scheme has also won support from womenintechnology.co.uk, a UK networking group for women working in the IT industry.
Maggie Berry, director of womenintechnology.co.uk, told IT PRO that women often don't return to work in the IT industry after a break because lack they believe they lack confidence and up-to-date skills.
"The probability of lacking up-to-date skills is higher in the IT industry, given that technology development moves so quickly," she said. "At the same time, they may lack the confidence to go back and often also want to work flexibly, particularly if they've taken maternity leave and want the chance to still spend time with their children."
The programme will include two training placements at ThoughtWorks' London offices over a two-month period, which will result in the opportunity for applicants who have successfully completed the placements to be offered roles at the company.
John Galioto, ThoughtWorks UK managing director said: "We recognise that women who work as developers and then take a career break have tremendous value and ability that we want to help bring back into IT. We're offering an intensive training course to bridge that gap."
The course is funded by ThoughtWorks and Equalitec and will be free to those who meet a set of entry requirements. Attendees will receive refresher training on the basics of programming before being trained on a set of software development tools. The pilot phase will have space for 12 attendees.
Berry added: "This should be a model more employers adopt for returners to work, as they often do for training up graduates. These women are a valuable untapped resource often overlooked by former and future, prospective employers."
Further information for potential applicants can be found on Thoughtworks' website.
