The ability of male IT contractors to talk their way into new jobs and projects is making women in the industry feel "they are having a hard time."
New research confirmed yesterday to Contractor UK reveals most female IT contractors believe they’d lose at interview - if they had no qualifications to prove their worth over men.
Almost six out of ten pinned their hopes on a piece of paper, saying a certificate would prove their experience is “exactly the same” as men’s, said the Training Camp, author of the study.
Having a qualification recognised by the UK IT industry would also help them earn a premium of up to 40%, said a third of female optimists who undertook training as freelancers.
But an even greater number (54%) said qualifications were the key to reinforcing their expertise in an age where male IT contractors simply talk their way into new roles.
Rob Chapman, chief executive of the Training Camp, said the findings were evidence women “feel that they are having a hard time”, despite ongoing attempts to attract them to the sector.
He added: “Men aren’t shy in coming forward when it comes to selling their skills.
“And, whilst women may have exactly the same industry experience they feel they often lose out when applying for new jobs or projects as they don’t have the paper to prove it.”
The downbeat attitudes among women in IT work was regretful, he hinted, as the “industry is beset by an ever increasing skills shortage” which new female entrants could ease.
But the nature of freelance contracting means women may be powerless to act, despite being well aware of the benefits skills development could bring.
“Few contractors can afford to spend time off work gaining industry accreditation,” Mr Chapman said.
“So getting that all important piece of paper qualification fast and first time is critical to many who want to improve their lot and move up the career ladder.”
Honing skill sets is a bigger priority for IT contractors in 2007 than it was at any time over the past two years, meaning it’s more urgent than work-life balance, but less so than rates of pay.
(Thats cause women who do techy stuff in IT tend to be crap)
New research confirmed yesterday to Contractor UK reveals most female IT contractors believe they’d lose at interview - if they had no qualifications to prove their worth over men.
Almost six out of ten pinned their hopes on a piece of paper, saying a certificate would prove their experience is “exactly the same” as men’s, said the Training Camp, author of the study.
Having a qualification recognised by the UK IT industry would also help them earn a premium of up to 40%, said a third of female optimists who undertook training as freelancers.
But an even greater number (54%) said qualifications were the key to reinforcing their expertise in an age where male IT contractors simply talk their way into new roles.
Rob Chapman, chief executive of the Training Camp, said the findings were evidence women “feel that they are having a hard time”, despite ongoing attempts to attract them to the sector.
He added: “Men aren’t shy in coming forward when it comes to selling their skills.
“And, whilst women may have exactly the same industry experience they feel they often lose out when applying for new jobs or projects as they don’t have the paper to prove it.”
The downbeat attitudes among women in IT work was regretful, he hinted, as the “industry is beset by an ever increasing skills shortage” which new female entrants could ease.
But the nature of freelance contracting means women may be powerless to act, despite being well aware of the benefits skills development could bring.
“Few contractors can afford to spend time off work gaining industry accreditation,” Mr Chapman said.
“So getting that all important piece of paper qualification fast and first time is critical to many who want to improve their lot and move up the career ladder.”
Honing skill sets is a bigger priority for IT contractors in 2007 than it was at any time over the past two years, meaning it’s more urgent than work-life balance, but less so than rates of pay.
(Thats cause women who do techy stuff in IT tend to be crap)
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FFS
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