The UK tech workforce is slowly but surely growing. According to the CompTIA State of the Tech Workforce UK report, in 2022 net tech employment reached 2,043,622 employees. This represents a 1% increase over 2021. Similarly, a 1% increase was projected for 2023.
In the UK, net tech employment in 2022 accounted for 6.3% of the general workforce. Moreover, the UK tech industry contributed £82.6 billion to the UK economy.
As is the case in many other sectors, there is a lack of diversity in the UK tech workforce. For example, whereas women represent 49% of the UK workforce, they represent just 17% of tech occupations nationally. Only 25% of tech employees belong to ethnic minority groups, per the article “Diversity in Tech: What the Statistics Say.” The article also explains that in the UK:
- 28% of tech workers are gender minorities
- 35% of companies measure non-binary gender diversity
- 13% of senior roles in tech are represented by ethnic minorities
- 22% of senior tech roles are held by gender minorities
Underrepresentation of diverse populations is damaging to organizations and the overall UK economy. By understanding the UK tech workforce, nonprofit agencies can become prepared to help underrepresented populations into IT.
The Benefits of a Diverse Tech Workforce in the UK
Helping underrepresented populations into the UK tech workforce is essential to the success of organizations as well as individuals. For example, organizations with an inclusive workplace culture experience a better reputation and exemplary decision-making.
An article by Indeed.com explains that up to 87% of the time, diverse teams make better decisions compared to non-diverse teams. The article also states 17% of those looking for jobs place importance on the level of diversity a workplace has. The more diverse a company is, the more talent it will attract.
Other benefits of workplace diversity for organizations include increased creativity and profits, quicker problem-solving, higher productivity and a more collaborative organizational culture.
Individuals will find there are many benefits to establishing a career in IT. Tech workers often enjoy generous salaries, high rates of employee satisfaction and the opportunity to have a flexible work schedule or to work remotely.
The Leading Tech Sectors and Occupations in the UK
Understanding the top tech sectors and occupations in the UK is the first step toward effectively helping underrepresented groups into IT careers. The current leading tech sectors in the UK include:
- IT consultancy and services
- Telecom, data processing and web portals
- Software and custom development
- Tech manufacturing
Additionally, the following job groupings comprise the leading tech occupations nationally:
- Software development and web design
- IT analysts, cybersecurity and systems
- IT support and operations technicians
- Network and telecommunications engineers
- IT project managers
Diverse populations will have an easier time getting into IT when they are prepared to work in these tech sectors and in-demand occupations.
How to Help Diverse Populations in the UK Land Tech Careers
Nonprofit agencies can help underrepresented populations gain entry to the information technology workforce. One of the first steps they should take is to teach professional networking.
1. Offer networking workshops: Up to 85% of jobs are gained through networking. This makes networking an essential tool for every prospective IT pro. Teaching the fundamentals of professional networking can enable agencies to help underrepresented groups into the IT space.
Offering networking workshops is a simple, cost-effective way to ensure prospective IT pros are equipped to become active on LinkedIn and other professional networking platforms. These workshops can be led by in-house employees familiar with networking or outsourced to networking specialists.
2. Create mentorship opportunities: Mentors can be extremely helpful to those who want to get started in IT. They’ve not only been where the prospective tech pro is, but they have also successfully established a career in information technology. By connecting future tech workers with mentors, agencies can go a long way in setting individuals up for success in IT.
One of the best ways to arrange mentorships is to connect with nonprofits in the tech sphere. Some may offer or be open to offering mentoring. Mentorship goes hand in hand with the certification process as mentors can help mentees develop strategies for success with certification exams.
3. Certify candidates: Certified IT employees have better communication skills than their non-certified peers. They are also better able to understand emerging and complex technologies. By offering specific IT certifications that are targeted for the top tech occupations, agencies can help diverse groups into the tech sector.
CompTIA supplies industry-standard certifications that hiring managers are seeking, such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+, as well as more advanced designations. Agencies can easily certify individuals by becoming a CompTIA Delivery Partner.
Partner With CompTIA to Help Underrepresented Populations Establish an IT Career
CompTIA sets the standard for preparing entry-level candidates through expert-level professionals to succeed at establishing, maintaining and growing a career in technology. CompTIA’s nonprofit organization, CompTIA Spark develops innovative tech programming and advocacy from youth into adulthood to support the tech talent pipeline.
The following tools and programs enable nonprofit organizations to help these populations into the information technology workforce:
CompTIA Technology Career Pathway Roadmap
CompTIA Certifications Job Match
CompTIA Training and Learning
CompTIA Member Communities and Councils
CompTIA Academy and Delivery Partner Program
The CompTIA Delivery Partner Program provides the tools and resources training organizations need to successfully train and certify IT professionals. The program is designed to help trainers promote certifications and optimize IT career pathways for learners. A few of the benefits of partnership include:
- Discounts on exam vouchers
- Discounts on CompTIA learning resources
- Promotional content
- Sales enablement content
- Certification exam objectives
- CompTIA-approved learning resources
- Product calendar
- Certification roadmap
- CompTIA-hosted webinars
- Classroom resources (case studies, videos and more)
- Access to events and conferences
- Access to the CompTIA Instructor Network Community (CIN)
These tools can be invaluable in ensuring minority populations are equipped to begin a career in IT.
Interested in learning more about partnering with CompTIA to help underrepresented groups in the UK get into IT? Here is the information you need to become a CompTIA Delivery Partner.
