The 2016 Manchester Digital Skills Audit showed that 1 in 5 digital and technology businesses employed no women at all. This result was extremely alarming and plans were made to combat this and other issues concerning diversity in the workplace.
In May 2016, Manchester Digital partnered with UpFront Conference to run the Diversity Bursary; designed to encourage women and those who identify as women to take their first steps onto the speaking circuit. The successful candidates were offered free training and given the opportunity to speak at the conference. The feedback from the candidates was outstanding and plans are already afoot for the next Diversity Bursary programme for UpFront Conference. Not only this, but other community events such as DPM:UK for Digital Project Managers are considering similiar action.
Now, Manchester Digital, alongside community and industry partners, is putting together a strategy and toolkit to assist digital and technology businesses in the North West in attracting a more diverse range of people into their workforces.
The toolkit will help address issues such as equal pay, empowerment of underrepresented groups in digital, remote and flexible working, leadership, mentoring and much more. Manchester Digital are committed to providing practical solutions to the issues facing our members and the wider industry and this work relates back to our five areas of focus. To find out more, please contact us.
