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Skillsoft India 2022 Women in Tech Report uncovers actions employers must take to ensure women are represented and valued in STEM roles
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Skillsoft (NYSE: SKIL), a global leader in corporate digital learning, revealed today its latest report centered on the current state of women in tech in India. Skillsoft’s 2022 Women in Tech Report – India Region sheds light on the gaps in learning and development opportunities in the workplace for female tech professionals.
With 1 in 2 surveyed women in tech agreeing that advanced technical skills helped them reach their current role, the importance of upskilling and training opportunities cannot be understated. However, only half (52 per cent) say their employers offer training as a benefit. This comes at a time when 76 per cent of IT decision-makers report skills gaps on their teams, according to Skillsoft’s Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report. Providing opportunities for training and professional development is a major benefit for employers and employees alike as it can help fill crucial skills shortages and put women on a path for career advancement.
“The percentage of women in the Indian IT sector has risen over the last decade. While the trend is promising, albeit gradual, in order to maintain momentum, women must be empowered with new opportunities to take on tech roles and provided access to continuous upskilling opportunities,” said Rashim Mogha, General Manager, Leadership and Business Portfolio, Skillsoft. “In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we look to #BreakTheBias by encouraging organisations to extend learning and development opportunities and resources to women at all levels.”
Per data collated by the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy, as of December 2021, India’s urban female labour force declined to 7.2 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — down from 9.5 per cent in December 2019. According to Skillsoft’s report, two-thirds of women in tech say men outnumber them at their organization for leadership roles at ratios of 2-to-1 or greater. This ratio is even higher for those working in tech companies (72 per cent). Women have also identified top challenges in tech roles including lack of equity in opportunities (47 per cent) and underrepresentation of women in the tech field (46 per cent).
Skillsoft’s 2022 Women in Tech Report – India Region proposes key methods for organisations to empower their female employees.