WOMEN need support from school age to encourage their participation in digital technologies, according to the chair of a new team tasked with encouraging greater female participation.

Evelyn Walker added that addressing gender inequality in Scotland’s digital technology industry is a long-term project that requires input from educators, industry and public agencies.

Research completed on behalf of the Digital Technology Skills Group found that women remain underrepresented, accounting for less than one in five of the total workforce.

The Tackling the Gender Technology Gap Together report concluded that intervention should begin in schools, and carry on into the workplace itself.

A gender workstream, chaired by Ms Walker of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, has been formed to develop an action plan to encourage women into the sector.

She said: “Addressing the gender imbalance will not be a short term issue and significant work will be required by a range of stakeholders.”

Researchers found that many young girls at school look positively at digital technology subjects and careers, and the majority of those studying computing science described it as interesting, important and enjoyable.

“The imbalance starts while girls are in school so it is important that solutions are developed to tackle this issue from early years onwards,” said Ms Walker. “However, attracting more females to enter digital technology careers is only part of the solution. Women should be encouraged to remain in the sector and to progress into interesting, rewarding and senior roles.”