Skillsoft has released new research exploring the current state of women in tech, including the challenges and barriers to inclusion they face and how employers can better support them.
Findings from Skillsoft’s 2021 Women in Tech Report reveal that while female employees have gained hard-fought ground in the workplace, a large gap still exists when it comes to opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
According to the report, there is a misalignment between the workplace benefits women in tech are seeking and what is currently being provided. For example, while 86% of respondents cited opportunities for professional development and training as extremely or very important to them, just 42% said their employers currently offer this as a benefit. Additionally, when asked about the top challenges they have faced while pursuing a tech-related career, nearly a third of women surveyed (32%) pointed to a lack of training.
With Skillsoft’s recent IT Skills and Salary Report finding that 76% of organisations currently face skills gaps in their IT departments, providing opportunities for training and professional development is a major benefit for employers and employees alike as it can help fill crucial shortages and skills gaps and put women on a path for career advancement.