Women's Enterprise Scotland

WES Digital Leaders programme

This programme of workshops has been successfully delivered and we hosted a celebratory webinar, on Wednesday 24 March.

The webinar included presentations from our partners including Radiant & Brighter and Mel MacIntyre Coaching, and some of the participants shared how they are innovating in their workplace.

WES Digital Leaders webinar presentation

The digital leaders programme was for women in the technology sector in Scotland, to develop their leadership skills, and support mental health and resilience. The purpose was to address inequalities and retain women already in the sector, boost their career prospects, and increase employer awareness of the economic benefits of equality and diversity. The programme was free to attend, delivered digitally, and supported by this dedicated website.

According to expert digital industry body ScotlandIS, women account for just 23% of the workforce in digital technologies roles. A recent Scottish Government Report found the impacts of COVID-19 have disproportionately affected women’s mental health and employment prospects, putting at risk decades of progress on gender equality. Plus, the Women in the Workplace report from McKinsey and LeanIn.Org found one in four women were considering downshifting their career or leaving the workforce entirely due to the pandemic. The strategic importance of engaging more women in the technology and digital sector was featured in the recent Report on the Scottish technology ecosystem by Mark Logan, former Chief Operating Officer of “unicorn” technology company Skyscanner.

The programme has complemented work to build a pipeline of women aspiring to start a career in the sector by providing visible role models and be an enabler for the implementation of other Logan Review recommendations. The project has also engaged with employers to help improve their equality and diversity policies and increase understanding of the economic benefits.

The WES Digital Leaders programme was funded by the Workplace Equality Fund and delivered by Women's Enterprise Scotland.

20

COURSE PARTICIPANTS

6

WEEKS

6

WORKSHOPS

WES Digital Leaders

Diversity and inclusion driving innovation and productivity in the workplace

Delivered by

Women's Enterprise Scotland have delivered successful leadership training with participants from a range of companies including - Skyscanner, RBS, Clydesdale Bank, STMicroelectronics.

Participant testimonials from previous training:

“This course has helped me on three levels, personal, business and leadership. It’s improved my confidence, changed my behaviour and approach to how I communicate and manage upwards.”

“This course has given me the skills to be a better leader. Everyone on the course is hugely supportive and it has been a real privilege to have been able to work with an amazing group of women. I think we all leave this course with a greater sense of self-belief and confidence in our abilities as leaders.”

“Great format, relevant topics and just the right amount of time commitment”

The Workshops

Applications for this course are now closed.

Details can be viewed only by partners and participants.

Resources

Access some relevant resources and research to help with leadership, inclusion and diversity understanding.

Scottish Technology Ecosystem review

Mark Logan's report into how Scotland’s technology sector can contribute to the country’s economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scottish Government

Report of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery

McKinsey - Women in the workplace report

In partnership with LeanIn.org this report tracks the progress of women in corporate America.

ScotlandIS - Scottish Technology Industry Survey 2020

Women account for just 23% of the workforce in digital technologies roles. See their report here

Women's Enterprise Scotland Policy and Research

To help realise our ambition for women who are either in business or hoping to set up in business in Scotland and beyond, Women’s Enterprise Scotland has a strong, on-going focus on policy influence and development. Visit our site here

Women's Business Centre

In 2020 of the digital Women's Business Centre was launched. Designed to support women from the pre start-up and start up stage of their business journey, through to growth, this site offers dedicated, needs-based content for women setting up their own enterprise.

Partners and Participants

Contact

Enquiries