The Commission into diversity and inclusion in digital tech aims to widen participation and representation in digital tech careers.
Demand for digital technology skills such as software developer, digital marketing, cyber security and data analytics is growing across industries. Yet some communities are underrepresented in the digital tech sector.
We’ve launched a short survey to help us understand what our diverse communities see as the biggest barriers to jobs in digital tech. We want to hear residents’ views about how identity or background affects their job opportunities and what needs to be done to address barriers.
We plan to hold focus groups to discuss the issues in more depth. The survey includes a section to sign up, and focus group participants will receive a £20 voucher for their time.
Why this matters
Hackney has become a prime location for companies involved in the digital tech sector. The sector is growing faster than other industries, creating many new jobs and making it increasingly necessary to foster greater diversity to deliver an inclusive economy, where everyone in Hackney – irrespective of background – has the opportunity to thrive and prosper.
However, some communities are starkly underrepresented in the digital tech economy. Only 2% of workers are from a Black, African, Caribbean or Black British background, only 11% have disabilities, 22% are aged 50 or above, and women make up only 17% of tech workers.
What we’re doing
We’ve set up a Commission to understand the intersecting barriers facing our residents looking to launch their careers in the digital tech economy and how we can work with local employers to overcome these challenges.
Keep up to date
Stay in touch with the work of the Commission on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Page last reviewed: November 24, 2021