Including what influences productivity and how employers can promote women in technology to help combat the prevalence of the gender gap in STEM industries.
Training and mentorship aids productivity
Many businesses are now offering a variety of working arrangements in a bid to become more flexible for a wider range of employees. From office perks to remote working spaces, these elements are being introduced as a way of maximizing productivity.
However, our research shows that students and graduates simply want their employer to be fair and agile when it comes to understanding how an individual works best, with 28% of students opting for training and mentorship as the top factor for maximising productivity.
Flexible hours appealed to 24% of students, and 13% favoured fun work perks such as office pet days but overall, employers should be investing in the millennial workforce's skills, setting clear goals and marketing any training programmes available, so that younger employees have something concrete to map themselves against.
Students and graduates also noted that mentorship and having open communication with an individual they can relate to is the most valuable factor in creating a productive environment. A previous graduate is an obvious choice, but equally if another employee from outside the team possesses expertise your new starter is interested in, a few catch ups will inspire more out-of-the-box thinking.
Technology will shape the future - but the gender gap persists
Whilst diversity continues to be the number one challenge for employees across all industries, the gender gap is more prevalent in some sectors than others. Specifically, the technological skills gap continues to widen, with the prediction that by 2020, more than 60% of new jobs will require skills that less than 20% of the workforce possesses.
The landscape of careers is changing vastly and 92% of our respondents predict that technology will impact the jobs of the future. However, not all graduates are interested in choosing this career route.
Our research shows that only 49% of females would be interested in a technology-based career, compared to 73% of males. It is therefore fundamental for businesses in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics industries to be celebrating, supporting and promoting women in younger generations. Sharing insights such as day in the life profiles as part of your recruitment process - either on your website or through social media - can highlight the successful women and prevent a cycle of continued imbalance.
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