Teachers should encourage women into ICT industry: Deloitte

Women comprise less than 20% of the Australian ICT workforce, and the industry must do more to help balance the scales, a new report from Deloitte states.

The glass ceiling is also still in effect in the industry - women currently occupy only a tiny percentage of ICT leadership roles.

Deloitte Consulting technology partner Kaylene O’Brien said addressing the gender imbalance will have to start at the education level.

“We need to do more to encourage school students, and young women in particular, to pursue a career in ICT. Our teachers and career advisors need to see the potential for women to have rewarding careers in the ICT industry and they need to encourage them,” she said.

“As more women succeed in reaching ICT’s top spots, we can act as role models for younger women and help foster the ambitions of aspiring CIOs, both female and male.”

The report encourages teachers, career advisors and family members to open their mind to the prospects a career in ICT offers - many of which are still developing.

“There will be roles and careers in ICT that become available in the future that don’t even exist today,” O’Brien noted.

O’Brien was named Victorian ICT Woman of the Year during last year’s iAwards.

Pictured: Deloitte Consulting Technology Partner Kaylene O'Brien.