Lack of diversity puts youth off digital careers, reports IOC

Young people are put off from digital careers in the UK because of a lack of diversity, according to a recent survey carried out by the Institute of Coding (IoC). The nationwide poll of 1,000 16-18 year olds, reveals that more than half of the respondents (56%) believe the industry needs to be more diverse and inclusive.

The latest IoC findings suggest that the next generation of talent is being put off digital education and careers before they even start. Approximately 10% of 16-18 year olds admit they are actively discouraged from pursuing digital education and jobs due to the lack of people that represent them.

YOUTH PERCEPTIONS

Confirming the perception that the digital workforce lacks diversity, 71% of youth think the industry is made up of people solely identifying as heterosexual, 83% think it’s led by men and 85% believe the majority of people working in the sector are not disabled. Furthermore, 70% believe it’s run entirely by those that are of white, British ethnicity, and over a third (34%) think there are unequal opportunities for women. In fact, 41% believe there’s a lack of female role models in the industry. 

According to the experts, not only are artificial intelligence and data specialists in short supply, but the current workforce is not representative of the wider population, and this lack of diversity risks ‘undermining the UK tech sector’s capability and credibility’.

Commenting on the survey findings, Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, President of techUK and Co-Chair of the IoC, stated: “While some of these opinions echo what many people in the industry may already feel, what’s shocking is that these are the perceptions of young people who’ve yet to set foot in the industry.”

REBOOTING TECH

In a bid to help reboot the sector, the IoC has launched a campaign to champion a cross-section of diverse people making waves in digital. According to Rachid Hourizi, Director of the IoC, “The Institute of Coding is focused on providing a fresh and disruptive approach to digital learning that focuses on diversity and inclusion. We are thrilled to be working with some fantastic industry partners across the digital sector for the CTRL Your Future campaign and eager to address the barriers that discourage young people from pursuing digital education and careers.” 

Rojas believes that a reboot of the digital sector starts with welcoming a fresh, more diverse cross-section of talent. CTRL Your Future will help to highlight professionals across gaming, fashion and design who are already helping to reshape industry, and will encourage the “next generation to get involved”, she added. 

The CTRL Your Future campaign will first partner with DIGI-GXL, an inclusive community supporting women, trans and non-binary people looking to reshape the world of 3D design and animation. Other partners will include London Gaymers, the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ gamer community providing a safe and inclusive space for gamers and the STEMettes, the social enterprise inspiring young women to pursue a career in STEM.

Events, inspiring panel workshops and short films will be rolled out over the next several months, promoting the diverse face of the industry, showing the creative opportunities that exist through emerging tech and calling for more young people to get involved.

For more information, about the CTRL Your Future campaign and the IoC, visit www.instituteofcoding.org.