Geek is the New Black

Geek is the New Black

Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Digital Agenda reported to Reuters that Europe is suffering from lack of women in high-tech jobs. To stop the shortage from getting worse, she started a campaign that is meant to attract women that faces a shortage in skills.

The fact that there aren’t a lot of women in the information and communications technology (ICT) workforce, is costing the European Union billions of euros. Out of 100 European app developers, only nine of them are women.

According to the Commission, in February, the European ICT sector showed over 400,000 vacancies. This number could increase to over 500,000 in 2015 and then to 900,000 in 2020, says the European Union. Like most countries, Europe has seen women be under-represented in the high-tech sector, especially at the management level. Reuters stated that there are only 19.2 women bosses.

“If women held digital jobs as frequently as men, the European GDP could be boosted annually by around 9 billion euros ($12 billion),” Neelie Kroes said.

With the help of the Commission’s campaign, young women are being encouraged to study and pursue a career in technology. At the campaign, they show videos of inspiring women, as well as celebrate role models.

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