Hewitt: We need more women!

The IT industry needs more women, according to Trade and Industry secretary Patricia Hewitt.

Announcing plans for a government programme designed to attract more women into high-tech jobs, Hewitt said the industry's geeky image remained a major barrier. "We need to give IT a makeover to make it more attractive to women," she said.

"Only 22 per cent of the [IT] workforce is currently made up of women - and the image that many schoolgirls have of IT is more computer geek than computer chic."

The scheme will target schools and work places to make women more aware of career opportunities and help businesses improve how they recruit and retain women in technology jobs.

"In the past five years the number of IT jobs have grown by a massive 50 per cent, compared to eight per cent growth in the general workforce," said Hewitt.

"Although more women are now working than ever before, too many are low paid and too few are well paid. I want to see more women in interesting, well paid jobs and IT is a great way to get there."

The DTI will release a report in November looking at the availability and participation in IT courses for women.