IT sector set to attract more women

18:00 12th November 2008

Companies need to do more to attract female IT professionals, says the British Computer Society (BCS).

Talking to Publictechnology.net, the BCS said that in the six intervening years between 2001 and 2007 the number of women in IT roles had fallen by six per cent to total 192,580.

Rebecca George, chair of the forum, told the website: "The situation keeps on deteriorating. The IT industry is famous for its skill shortages, and I believe it's time to re-examine the problem of keeping and motivating female IT professionals."

She added that businesses need to develop a greater understanding of the different strengths and capabilities that may set female IT professional apart from ther male contemporaries and, despite the plethora of successful role models within the IT sector, a culture change is still necessary.

The British Computer Society was set up in 1957 to provide representation to those within the IT industry as well as awarding the Chartered IT Professionals (CITP) qualifications.