Women into Computing: The need for Positive Action Now

Abstract

According to all the forecasts, the 1990’s will be a time of rapid social, demographic and economic change. The employment market of the 1990s is likely to be characterised by severe skills shortages, particularly in the areas of science, technology and information technology. Labour market forecasts have indicated that to meet the projected increase in labour demand generally employers must be more effective about recruiting, training and retaining the skills of more women. And in computing and information technology the extent of the problem of skills shortages and pressing need to develop and use the skills of women works is made obvious by such activities as the WIT campaign, backed by the DTI and a large number of major UK IT employers.