Communications of the ACM
Tech Companies Pledge to Deal With Shortage of Women Workers
Microsoft has joined Alcatel-Lucent, IMEC, Orange-France, and Motorola in signing the Code of Best Practices for Women and ICT, which seeks to attract more European women to careers in information technology (IT). The code makes use of a number of strategies, such as creating computer clubs to introduce more school-age girls to activities such as creating Web sites, mixing music, or designing online magazines. An emphasis also is placed on retaining women already working in the industry.
The companies will offer programs to keep women current on the latest technological developments while on maternity leave, and also offer them support for balancing work and family. The code includes targets for recruiting and promoting female IT professionals at all job levels. "The signing of this Code of Best Practices is a first step towards making high-tech jobs cool for girls and getting more women into the ICT sector," says European Union commissioner Viviane Reding.
From IDG News Service
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