Schoolgirls targeted for careers in IT

A lack of female staff in the sector is reflected worldwide. Photo / Thinsktock

Only 17% of technology staff are female — something MIT contest is trying to change.

Manukau Institute of Technology is holding a computer programming competition for schoolgirls aimed at tackling the lagging number of women working in the information and communications technology sector.

The ICT sector generates $6.1 billion in exports and, according to the 2013 New Zealand Sectors Report, contributes 5 per cent of GDP and employs 73,392 people - but an industry census shows only 17 per cent of these are women, which is one of the lower ratios for New Zealand job sectors.

The tech institute is hosting the eighth annual Programming Challenge 4 Girls (PC4G) today in partnership with Orion Health, with 13 schools from around Auckland participating.

The one-day event is aimed at encouraging high-school students to consider computer programming as a career. Senior lecturer Alison Hunter said the lack of women in IT careers was an ongoing issue.

"Computer technologies are an essential part of our daily lives for both personal and business use," Hunter said. "If computer systems are to be used by all New Zealanders, female perspectives need to be brought into the design of these artefacts."

A lack of female staff in the sector is reflected worldwide, with corporations such as Apple and Facebook employing varying methods to try to attract more female staff, including work benefits and longer maternity leave.

The programme today will involve practice with a graphical programme called ALICE. The girls then compete in a programming competition in pairs, using the programme, followed by other activities and challenges. The competition is graded and awards are given out to the top teams, with medals and gift certificates presented to the winners.

Industry and community engagement manager Edwina Mistry said the programme was aimed at connecting industry with schools as well as encouraging students to look at IT as a career.

"Programmes such as the PC4G and Shadow IT, run annually by MIT, focus on giving practical hands-on experience to students," Mistry said. "This is what MIT's training is all about - real world experience."

Orion Health vice-president of people Brett Morris said there was no reason why women should be under-represented, adding it was important to recognise and address the shortage of IT professionals.

"It is important to recognise there is an ever growing supply gap of quality IT professionals and that these types of programmes are crucial to engaging a significant portion of the population that, so far, have been disconnected from the industry," Morris said.

The programme is being held at Manukau Institute of Technology, with more than 50 Year 10 students.

School contest

What is it?
Manukau Institute of Technology and Orion Health are hosting a programming day today for female students to learn to code and compete against other schools.

Who will be there?
Students from 13 schools around Auckland are competing. Orion Health representatives will be there.

Why is it being hosted?
There is a large gap in female IT professionals in the industry so the day is aimed at getting girls to consider programming as a career.