The tech industry has evolved into a dynamic field, pivotal in driving innovation and shaping the future of the digital-centric world. Yet, despite its advancements, it remains an environment where gender inequity persists. As organizations fail to provide the necessary support structures for a successful workforce, women continue to face obstacles in advancing their careers and gaining proper recognition for their contributions.
Skillsoft’s annual Women in Tech Report delves into these problems, compiling feedback from over 500 women worldwide, spanning North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, from various professional domains such as project and program management, application and software development, and infrastructure, networking, and telecom.
Their insights illuminate women’s diverse experiences navigating the industry, offering valuable data and guidance for organizations to enact meaningful change.
Let’s take a look at some of the top findings from this year’s report.
THE PURSUIT OF PARITY REMAINS UNFINISHED
The tech industry’s gender gap is still a prominent issue, with 34% of women in tech indicating that men outnumber them at ratios of four-to-one or greater, and only 15% reporting an equal ratio of men and women in the workplace. This disparity stresses a notable barrier for women struggling to break into the male-dominated sphere.
But – the challenge does not stop here.
JOB DISSATISFACTION RISES AMIDST ESCALATING CHALLENGES
Beyond the gender imbalance, women cite additional inhibitors to their success, identifying ineffective leadership and management and a lack of equity in pay and opportunities as the leading issues. With job satisfaction declining, respondents express that they are extremely or somewhat dissatisfied with growth potential (38%), managerial support (29%), current pay (28%), and diversity, equity, and inclusion (25%) at their companies.
While the tech industry falls short in bolstering its female workforce, women are increasingly open to exploring new career paths. With 37% likely to switch job roles and 31% likely to switch employers, their key considerations include:
- Department or company management
- Lack of training, growth, and development
- Increase in compensation
- Organizational performance
- Inequity in opportunities
These results highlight essential areas for employers to prioritize in retaining and recruiting female talent, emphasizing the importance of a sustained commitment to workplace equality and career mobility.
PROGRESS BEGINS INSIDE THE WALLS OF EACH ORGANIZATION
To foster an equitable workforce, organizations must do their part, providing defined initiatives that reinforce women’s vital role.
Critical to this objective is the value of organizational benefits, with the report revealing that remote and hybrid work (63%), flexible working hours (60%), paid time off (60%), and medical benefits (55%) are extremely important to women in tech.
In addition to providing these benefits, organizations can also actively encourage women to pursue tech-related careers. To achieve this, respondents provide three recommendations:
- Guarantee equitable pay
- Increase coaching, mentoring, and career counseling
- Enhance professional development and training opportunities
By implementing these strategies, organizations can make significant strides in equipping all employees with the tools to thrive, ultimately, cultivating an industry dedicated to propelling women forward.
To learn more about our detailed insights, access the full report today.