Startup launches campaign to place 1,000 women in tech by 2020

UK tech recruitment startup Structur3dpeople has launched a campaign to fill the IT skills gap by bridging the tech sector gender gap.

The #GettingMoreWomenIntoTech initiative aims to place an additional 1,000 women in technology roles by 2020 by helping them gain the skills they need to fill existing sought-after roles in the industry through training and mentoring programmes in London, Liverpool and Bristol.

"Mentors and role models are pivotal in developing skills as well as providing confidence, building resilience, encouraging aspirations and advancing careers," Structur3dpeople's director, Rav Bumbra, said. "I am excited to see such great results already from the programmes where we are increasing the female talent pipeline in addition to progressing more women into leadership and developing female founders.

The new campaign follows an initiative last year, where Structur3dpeople launched three programmes in London that helped 70 executive-level women get the support they needed to pursue new opportunities in the tech sector. According to feedback from those who attended, 96% said their confidence improved after the first session and half went on to apply for roles they may not have considered beforehand.

"We want women working in any tech role to collaborate with us and step forward as role models," Bumbra added. "You cannot be what you cannot see and this campaign is a great way to show the next generation what a career in tech looks like".

The campaign is supported by a number of headline sponsors, including technology industry trade body techUK, although it's now seeking more tech startups around the country to partner up with.

"I passionately believe in the power of diversity and its ability to create more successful businesses," Jacqueline de Rojas, president of techUK and executive vice-president at Sage, said. "Playing our part at grass roots level will help to create digital talent so badly needed to fuel our digital future."