The tech sector has always fascinated me, simply because it never stands still.
By its very nature, the entire industry is constantly innovating, adapting, and looking ahead, and it’s our duty to ensure that every avenue within such a dynamic field is open to all, regardless of gender.
Alongside my role as head of services workforce technical capability at Royal Bank of Scotland, I’m also a founding member of Tech She Can, a charity committed to inspiring more girls and women to study technology subjects.
The charity has the ultimate of increasing representation across the sector through the power of education.
From data science to app development, the job prospects in tech are practically boundless, and it’s imperative that we work together to create a level playing field where the door is open for everyone.
Partnering with Tech She Can, Royal Bank recently held an event in Edinburgh, where we welcomed over 70 girls from nearby high schools to our offices and gave them a glimpse into some of the myriad career options available to them.
We know firsthand the importance of hosting events like this, and audience feedback tells us school pupils are twice as likely to consider a career in the tech field after attending a Tech She Can careers day.
What’s more, 80% of girls who spend a day with an employer during one of these sessions say it changed their thoughts on their next career step.
This was the largest Careers Insight Day we had held to date and it represents a tangible step towards fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech landscape in Scotland.
Through a series of interactive sessions, hands-on workshops, and talks from those who have carved out their own tech roles at Royal Bank, our aim was to let attendees know about the different job paths they could potentially go down.
The energy in the room was palpable, and served as a vivid reminder of the untapped potential that lies within the next generation.
The tech sector is growing at a rapid rate, to the point that 80% of jobs in the UK now require digital skills, however girls represent just 15% of computing students.
This is just further confirmation that involving young minds in conversations about industry-wide gender balance is paramount – they are not just the future, they are the architects of a future that we can only begin to imagine and by engaging them now, we are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable tech sector.
Creating a diverse workforce is not merely an idealistic pursuit, it is a strategic imperative.
The industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, shaping the very fabric of our society and to harness its transformative possibilities, we must ensure that the voices and perspectives of women and young girls are not only heard, but celebrated.
Wincie Wong works in Technical Capability, Digital X, Royal Bank of Scotland.
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