More than 1,000 sign up for W-Tech 2009 as economy worsens

W-Tech 2009 comes on the same day a report on closing the gender skills gap is due to be published by the National Skills Forum, part of Policy Connect Skills, a not-for-profit organisation bridging Parliament and industry. The percentage of women computing professionals working in the IT and telecoms sectors stands at just 18% out of a total workforce of more than one million, according to womenintechnology.co.uk. W-Tech 2009 comprises workshops on technical and soft skills, plus an evening networking event and panel discussion, featuring Kavita Oberoi from Channel Four’s The Secret Millionaire, who runs her own IT healthcare business. Says Maggie Berry, director of womenintechnology.co.uk: “Networking is very important for developing a career, and even more so in difficult economic conditions. Employers will always want to employ talented individuals. “The range of technical and soft-skills workshops at W-Tech 2009 provides a real opportunity for women wanting to get on, or get back into, the IT market to fine tune these and connect with some of the smartest employers in the industry.”