'Many women unclear what IT jobs involve'

13:30 2nd February 2009

Many women in the UK do not fully understand what IT jobs actually involve, often owing to poor schooling on the subject.

According to the British Computer Society (BCS), this lack of knowledge often results in a negative view of IT careers and this could be damaging for many households that could come to rely on extra income during the recession.

Events such as the upcoming W Tech 2009, which will be free to attend at Savoy Place in London on February 3rd, are designed to encourage women who may be seeking computer training.

Rebecca George, chair of the BCS Women's Forum, said: "A lot of women don't know what working in IT really means and don't realise that they are using IT in their home every day."

She added that women who seek entry into the IT industry could boost their earning potential during the recession.

According to the Office for National Statistics there were over 841,000 men working in the IT industry in 2007, but fewer than 193,000 women.