As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I hope to be part of a future where barriers that prevent women from competing on a level playing field in the work environment are broken down, particularly in science and technology.
In my role as head of S5GConnect at the Scotland 5G Centre, I am committed to unleashing the entrepreneurial potential of innovative leaders. The Scottish Government’s recently launched national strategy for economic transformation recognises the need for bold ideas to transform the economy. To truly enable digital transformation and deliver the outcomes desired for all, Scotland has to provide connectivity to drive accessibility and inclusivity.
I lead the Scotland 5GConnect programme, overseeing a network of innovation hubs and private 5G testbeds across Scotland that exist to provide opportunity and competitive advantage. For cross sector small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in urban and rural settings, we can open the door to the potential of 5G. I would like to encourage more female leaders to explore the opportunities we can offer their business.
I am not from a technical background, I’ve had a portfolio career across the media, creative and smart city sectors and I am now working with cutting edge enabling technology. It just shows how there are many routes into a career in technology for women. I understand that female founders have to swim against the tide as they receive less investment in the UK marketplace, impacting on important research and development (R&D) and innovation.
I would like women to see the tech industry as a viable option for career development. A 2021 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport report stated 30 per cent of jobs available in Edinburgh were in the tech sector – the highest of any UK city and Glasgow wasn’t far behind with 28 per cent of tech vacancies. This is a huge opportunity for well-paid and future forward careers.
Maybe women are put off from roles in tech as they don’t feel they have the understanding of “5G” or “digital solutions”. However, the S5GConnect programme is about helping businesses invest and the returns 5G could bring – it is about the outcomes. We should focus on technology as enabling people to connect and solve problems. This could attract more female talent into the sector. As an industry we can support this with flexible working and jobs shares to retain talent. We can also promote the value of transferable skills to overcome perceived barriers.
I joined The Skinny, which went on to become the leading arts and culture magazine in Scotland and third in the UK. I identified efficiencies, I contributed to website redesigns and created a bespoke internal customer relationship management (CRM) system to manage the advertising, customer database and invoicing. I didn’t think of it as digital or tech: it was about making the business successful. It’s not about sitting in front of a computer coding. It was about creating solutions.
Positive role models are an important element in driving women to the sector. We have a female chair, Julie Snell, who champions the important role of women in the digital sector and also my mentor. It is important for women to champion women and highlight the people who inspire them. We need to continue building networks, fostering links and Scotland has a wide range of organisations promoting, supporting and championing women.
It’s time to harness the power of women, create female role models in the sector and prime the pump of future tech talent.
Related posts
Interviews
Comment
Please mind the gap… or healthcare may fall
Imagine sharing a lengthy train journey with others. From beginning to end, imagine how often you might hear ‘mind the gap’ messages about embarking and disembarking safely. Picture how navigating…
Women Lead: My journey from Dragons’ Den to Silicon Valley
Following her appearance on Dragons’ Den, Sheila Hogan, serial entrepreneur, founder and chief executive of digital legacy vault, Biscuit Tin, shares her experience of her time in the Den and…
Look anywhere – the future is ‘aged tech’. But Scotland needs to be more adventurous
Scottish Care, as the representative body of independent social care providers of care home, care at home and housing support services, has been working over several years with colleagues in…
Women Lead: Engineer turned entrepreneur
We are always fascinated by other people’s stories. It’s how we connect, grow and learn from each other. Until very recently I always felt like I didn’t have a story to tell. Who…
‘Women – together we will change the dynamic in tech’
I was inspired to start a career in technology when personal computers were in their infancy and the internet decades away. My childhood dream of becoming a scientist was shaped by…
It’s time to change the future of tech apprenticeships – and we need your help
In his latest exclusive column for Futurescot, Ross Tuffee, chair of the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Digital Economy Skills Group, calls on tech employers to get involved in shaping the…
What AI difference a year makes
Amazingly, it’s been one year since the publication of Scotland’s AI Strategy. And what a year it has been. Demanding but rewarding, with good progress made and great foundations laid…
International Women’s Day: It’s time to harness power of women in technology
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I hope to be part of a future where barriers that prevent women from competing on a level playing field in the work environment…