It is that time of year again and we are proud to announce that we are the headline partner sponsor for the 2018 DevelopHER Awards. Yet another year, we are delighted to be involved in celebrating women in technology alongside other companies like Google and Amazon.
Established in 2015 by Vickie Allen, founder of SyncDevelopHER, the awards aim to raise the profile of women in technology in East Anglia, creating role models to inspire the next generation to become developers, technicians, project managers, testers and digital experts.
“Since setting up StrategiQ I’ve noticed a real shortage of women in the digital and development space. Having been part of the last three DevelopHER awards, it is great to see profiles being raised, recognition being given and ultimately, the expansion of opportunities in our industry.”
Andy Smith | Founder of StrategiQ
Why are these awards important in our industry?
Per UK Parliament, there is a massive digital skills crisis occurring in the UK although 90% of new jobs require these skills. As a result, many companies are finding it difficult to recruit skilled talent in the digital tech sector according to Tech Nation and this is said to be their biggest challenge. Yet, what are some suggestions for how this issue should be addressed?
In addition to investing in more digital education and making technology more accessible, many UK governmental bodies, Tech Nation and the PWC have indicated that if businesses work together, help increase awareness of this sector and encourage young women to embrace technology from a young age, it may help alleviate demand in the industry and provide a more diversified and creative workforce.
“Our industry is still heavily dominated by men and there is lack of exposure regarding the work that technical women do. The DevelopHER Awards give women in the design and development industry the opportunity to stand up and be recognised for their achievements despite the gender-related obstacles they may have faced.
I feel awards like these are important because they encourage young girls, who are afraid to go against the gender barrier, to stand up, dream big and strive to be anything they want to be.”
Vickie Allen | Founder of SyncDeveloperHER & DevelopHER Awards
For StrategiQ, we feel these awards are an opportunity to encourage young women to pursue careers outside of the ‘norm’ and we are proud to be sponsoring it.
How can you get involved?
The awards opened 30th May and will close 3rd September. If you and your company would like to get involved you can go to the website for more information. You can also go there to nominate a woman working in tech, sponsor a package, attend the event or volunteer and get involved.
We hope to see you there!