smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Are you working too hard?

News that UK entrepreneurs are clocking up 50-hour weeks will...
Have your say »

RSS

Women 'should be encouraged into IT'

Apr 28 2008

Email a friend

Young women should be encouraged to enter a career in the IT industry, the British Computer Society (BCS) claims.

IT at school is 'almost invisible', and careers advisors do not know enough about the industry to let girls know about the chances available to them, according to the BCS's Women's Forum manager Jan Peters.

Apprenticeships in IT should be taken advantage of, rather than telling everyone interested in computing to go 'through the degree route', she comments.

Young women who take up apprenticeships tend to go into lower-paid industries such as hairdressing, childcare and beauty therapy, Peters says.

'We need to get across to young girls that there are opportunities in IT. It's about appealing to women from a young age,' she adds.

Figures published this month by Garnet and e-skills UK showed that just 16 per cent of workers in the technologies industries were women.

The BCS represents the interests of more than 60,000 members in over 100 countries and is the qualifying body for Chartered IT Professionals.

Comments

There are currently no comments on this article

Prize Draw

Enter our prize draw!!

You've probably noticed smallbusiness.co.uk has a brand new look. You can personalise the homepage to suit your needs and there's lots of new content including video, blogs and the small business resource centre.

We're interested to know what you think about the new small business site, so we'd like you to take this opportunity to have your say. All entrants will be entered into our free prize draw to win a bottle of champagne provided by our partners at Laithwaites! Enter here

Polls

News

MPC decision understandable, business group says

The decision made by the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) to hold interest rates at five per cent was 'understandable', the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) comments.

ACA: A third of small firms to cut pensions

Almost one third - 31 per cent - of small businesses intend to cut their pension provision when the new Personal Accounts are introduced in 2012, according to the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA).

Firms asked to fund charity projects

The government is putting aside £50 million to match contributions made by businesses to grassroots community projects.

IES: Incentives must suit the workforce

Rewards given to staff for good performance must suit the attitudes and abilities of the workforce, the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) believes.

TUC: happiest employees at SMEs

Workers in small businesses enjoy their work more than those employed elsewhere, figures have revealed.

Guide launched to protect from tribunals

A guide is being launched intended to protect employers from possible pay disputes and discrimination claims.

Weak spending 'indicates state of economy'

A slowing in consumer spending offers a fair indication of the state of the economy, Capital Economics claims.

BCC: Bank must cut rates

The Bank of England must cut interest rates within the next two to three months to avoid a real downturn, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) argues.

Corporate business lacks flexibility, say working mums

Three quarters of working mothers feel that British business is not committed to flexible working arrangements, according to a survey conducted by advisory group Mums in Control.

Retail sales worse than 1990s, CBI reveals

High street sales are at their lowest level for a quarter of a century, a Confederation of British Industry (CBI) poll finds.

Slow payments 'hitting businesses'

Quick billing from suppliers and fewer companies adhering to agreed payment terms is causing problems for small firms, research finds.

Guides & Tips

Blood from a stone

It would be unfeasible to run any enterprise of scale without extending and accepting credit. So how do you deal with problem payers? Find out here.

Karen Bremner: beyond The Apprentice

It seems there’s nothing Apprentice star Karen Bremner won’t try. Having worked as a solicitor to the RAF, and trained as a stockbroker, she has now set up her own clothing boutique. One year on and her turnover has hit £250,000.

Make your website a success

Having a well designed website can be crucial to the success of your business. Here are some top tips on how to secure your visitors interest and get ahead on the web, from SmallBusiness.co.uk and Bea Hatherley, co-founder and director of online specialist Mr Site.

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.