The gender-IT project has published a report on current trends in ICT training and the impact this has on the skills needed by educators and trainers in the ICT sector.

The main question behind the report is how to encourage more girls and women to be involved in the ICT sector. Current policies and projects across Europe are explored, successful measures are identified and a set of recommendations for policy makers are presented.

The report uses research from previous activities undertaken by the gender-IT project, including focus groups with learners and stakeholders in four EU Member States, peer review visits to training institutions, and a database of European policies and networks aimed at encouraging gender mainstreaming.

The report identifies several key areas for policy-makers to be aware of when encouraging gender mainstreaming measures in ICT education and training:

Inspire

• Improve career guidance and awareness of ICT careers and opportunities at all levels, from childhood to working adults
• ‘Catch’ the interest of a diverse range of learners by creating course content that reflects the wide range of interests
• Outreach programmes, including female role models, to encourage all sections of society to explore ICT training
  

Support

• Develop infrastructures that allow more women to access ICT training, eg provide funding for free crèches, support measures to develop e-learning modules to allow remote access
• Access to regular training courses for VET providers, in order to keep up to date with the latest technologies and developments in their field
• Raise awareness among trainers, learners and businesses of gender stereotypes in ICT and recruitment processes

To read the executive summary and full report, please visit http://www.gender-it.org/outputs.aspx