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After a successful launch in the US, CompTIA has decided to bring its Advancing Women in IT evangelism programme to UK.
The scheme aims to reach out to schools to educate young girls about working in the technology sector.
CompTIA conducted research, which found that while young girls love their smartphones, tablets and other tech, and 90 per cent like to help fix issues with technology (such as helping their parents online), only 15 per cent said that they were actually interested in a career in technology.
“Comments gathered included that IT is a seen as a man’s job, isn’t glamorous, requires skills in maths and science, and crucially, that these girls weren’t familiar with any female role models in the sector,” Nancy Hammervik, senior VP at CompTIA, told PCR.
“For the past six months, volunteers from the programme have been putting together a teaching pack that includes a 45 minute presentation. Over 100 women have signed up to participate, and the platform aims to hit 10,000 girls in 2014.”
The program is set to launch in the UK in April and will be rolled out to summer activity camps before reaching schools in September.
Last month CompTIA held its first Advancing Women in IT dinner in the UK, which saw prominent women in the IT and technology sector come together to discuss interests and the concerns in the industry.
