The Growth of Women in Tech

If you thought that the technological sector was ruled by men, then think again because women are growing in this field and doing remarkably well. The technological domain is seeing a steady increase in the number of women employees who are gaining both entry level and senior job roles.

According to a 2020 Statista report, women made up 28% to 42% of the GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft) workforce. Similarly, according to research by Gartner, there has been a rise in women in tech in 2022, with 31% of IT employees now women.

These numbers are proof of the big step that women have taken to make their mark on an industry that was largely considered to be dominated by men. While women continue to make significant progress in this field and break the bias in salary and work opportunities, there is huge scope for improvement, especially to tackle the issue of recruitment and retention.

Embracing Diversity

One of the biggest motivators that has drawn more women towards tech, is the emphasis on a diverse work environment where gender equality is prioritized. Companies also understand that bringing diversity into the workforce and leadership will create a good business image, allowing companies to attract talent and provide more innovative solutions to tackle any issues that arise.  

In a technology driven world, it is natural that the demand for tech jobs will increase exponentially and often it becomes difficult to get the right talent on board. With a surge in women entering the tech field, companies also gain the added advantage of having a more diverse and larger pool of talent.

According to research conducted by McKinsey & Company, diverse teams have a 27% higher chance of outperforming teams that do not have a diverse gender ratio. Canadian women are making significant steps in the tech field while overcoming challenges that are still prevalent in this sector. A total number of 448,000 women in Canada are employed in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, which is a clear indication that women’s role in technology is gaining prominence.

Starting a Tech Career

There are various reasons that draw women to the technological sector. Today, technology is a part of life, everyone is attracted to the appeal that the tech world has. From prominent companies like Microsoft, Oracle and Salesforce to lucrative pay packages, the technology industry attracts individuals who are keen to pursue a successful career.

Also, curiosity and creativity are two strong motivators that draw women to the tech world, as they are pulled in by the creative aspect of 3D animation, app development and more.

Often, women who gravitate towards tech roles have a background in STEM subjects which covers science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Though, that is not always the case, as many women with non-STEM backgrounds opt for a tech program later in their academic path.

Obstacles for Women in Tech

While the number of women in the tech field is on the rise, they are still vastly underrepresented and organizations are doing their best to promote women further in this field.

Canada is proactively involved in ensuring that women are fairly treated and get their due recognition in this sector. According to Lindsey Goodchild, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nudge, Canada is doing well in ensuring that women in the tech field get equal opportunities and a good example of this is the thriving start-up and venture capital culture.

Canada is ahead of many other countries in supporting women in tech, as the country has the largest female focused VC fund. BDC Capital's Women in Technology Venture Fund, which is a robust support system for female tech, is over $300 and provides capital support to women-led companies.

The technological sector is currently booming and drawing in women who are thriving. If you are keen to join this field, then check out the various technology programs that are offered by the Canadian College of Technology and Business.

Each program targets current industry requirements in terms of skills, theoretical learning and practical training that transforms you into a skillful candidate with the knowledge to pursue a career in technology.

CCTB is a recognized college that offers high-quality education where equal focus is placed on theory and practical learning through co-op programs. The college has experienced faculty that help students transition smoothly into the professional world.

Click here to learn more.