Dalarna Science Park is helping to solve the challenge!
In October 2020, the Its4Women project was launched together with 5 partners in 5 countries, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Romania and Sweden. The project aims to increase women's interest in IT and digital professions.
As a Swedish partner, Dalarna Science Park is part of the collaboration aimed at strengthening companies in our region. We do this by working with selected companies and organizations interested in discussing the challenge of a slow inflow of IT staff in all industries.
Representatives from Dataföreningen, Sogeti Borlänge, Atea Dalarna, Trafikverket, Hellman Dynamic AB, Boliden Garpenberg, Nethouse Dalarna and Digitalisterna, have since the fall of 2021 met to talk about and reflect on the situation today, what we want it to look like tomorrow and how we solve the challenge together.
In the group, we can discuss common challenges, learn from each other's experiences and take part in various initiatives as inspiration for our own or joint efforts. Among other things, we agree that the way we have traditionally communicated about work in IT and digitization in general does not appeal to women. Everyone in the group has previously identified communication as an important part of increasing their attractiveness as an employer, and has for some time been reviewing their methods of expression both in text and in images, outside and inside the walls.
The second challenge identified is how to find people who are already curious about a career in IT, but are not taking the step for whatever reason. Through conversations and discussions, the group is now working on some proposals for joint initiatives aimed at both young people and adults.
For the duration of the Its4Women project (until October 2022), the main focus is on increasing interest in IT professions among women. However, Dalarna Science Park has the ambition to continue working with the group to strengthen entrepreneurship in our region. An increased influx of IT skills from all backgrounds, ages and genders is necessary for a competitive and sustainable Dalarna.
