Open University/e-skills programme attracts women in IT
Almost one third of IT professionals taking e-skills UK’s new industry-designed postgraduate programme at The Open University are women - more than double the industry average.
Designed by the Sector Skills Council for Business and IT, in conjunction with leading employers, the e-skills Professional Programme is open to anyone in work and ideally suited to people who are recent entrants to an IT professional role from any background.
e-skills UK Chief Executive Karen Price says women make up a mere 17% of the total IT professional workforce, and only 11% of those women hold postgraduate qualifications.
“For the sector to be missing out on half the talent pool is a major concern. As an industry, we need to do much more to promote the wide range of roles and skills we need. In particular, the types of roles that require a blend of business, interpersonal and technical skills are often appealing to women, and this is a skill set in great demand in the UK.
“We’re delighted that the e-skills Professional Programme is already having an impact on achieving this by fast tracking a new generation of future leaders into bigger and more valuable IT roles.”
Maggie Berry, Managing Director of womenintechnology.co.uk and member of the e-skills UK’s Girls in IT Steering Group, says: “Women have a great deal to offer to IT employers and the IT profession has a lot of opportunities for women in return. Postgraduate qualifications like the e-skills Professional Programme level the playing field by providing women with the skills to succeed in a competitive industry.”
IBM Foundation Manager Jenny Taylor says: “Our business is remaining at the forefront of industry ideas, ensuring we are making use of the best learning and development available to our professionals, and keeping us linked with academic and government partners. IBM has always looked to develop a broad range of skills in its staff, and the e-skills Professional Programme is an ideal means to continue this process.”
IBM Strategy and Transformation Consultant Laura Thomas adds: “A career in IT offers women incredible opportunities to work across any business or industry. Undertaking the e-skills Professional Programme is helping me develop the blend of business, interpersonal and technical skills to make a greater contribution to the business quickly.”
The Open University’s IT and Telecoms Executive Director Kevin Streater says: “The fact that we are attracting people from different backgrounds and industries highlights how vital IT professionals are now considered to the UK economy. Strong representation of women on this programme helps create a pool of future of leaders as well as attracting new women into IT.”
The e-skills Professional Programme is being delivered by The Open University and Lancaster University Management School. The programme leads to a Post Graduate Certificate as well as offering higher education credits which can contribute towards a Masters qualification.
For more information, visit www.e-skills.com/professionalprogramme or email professionalprogramme@e-skills.com.