Women 'avoiding IT jobs'

16:45 6th May 2009

New research has suggested women are still generally avoiding undertaking careers in IT, despite efforts to encourage more female employees into the sector.

A recent study from Firebrand has found 88 per cent of UK women would not consider a career in technology, despite the opportunities the sector could provide, especially during the current recession.

The survey focused on 150 recently graduated females and found the vast majority would not be looking for IT jobs, suggesting more should be done to provide IT training aimed at promoting the benefits of the technology sector to women.

Ministers have been increasingly looking to the IT industry to help boost the UK economy during the recession and are hopeful that the introduction of greater technological capacity - for example through broadband deployment - will help lead the UK out of the downturn.

That demonstrates the potential for new job opportunities within the IT industry, meaning more women should look to take advantage of IT training to ensure they are well-placed to find a job.