HOLYWOOD-based new media firm Synergy Learning has become the latest company in Northern Ireland committing to recruit more women through the Equality Commission’s STEM Charter and improve the gender balance in its workplace.
The ICT sector is a traditionally male-dominated, but Synergy Learning has 29 per cent female representation among its staff compared to an industry average of 17 per cent, although that drops to 14 per cent when non-technology based roles are not included.
The Equality Commission has been working with government and private sector bodies to improve the number of females getting jobs in science, technology, engineering and maths-related industries, insisting it it not only a gender equality issue but a broader economic issue which impacts on business growth and development.
It has been encouraging STEM businesses or those offering STEM jobs to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality by signing up to its STEM Charter to help promote careers in industry to women and girls.
Synergy Learning's chief executive Roy Kerley said: “We're passionate about becoming an exemplar employer in terms of diversity and equality of opportunity and were delighted to sign up to the charter at www.equalityni.org/STEM.
"While we will absolutely always recruit and promote on merit alone, we are keen to get involved in initiatives to promote careers and attract women into the industry because it makes sense for the economy, for our own equality and diversity and aligns with our shared values."
Dr Evelyn Collins, chief executive of the Equality Commission, said: “We find it hugely encouraging that businesses such as Synergy Learning are making this voluntary commitment to support and encourage women in their industry.
“Opportunities for women to work and succeed in all industries are better now than at any time in the past, and women with the right qualifications and experience can now enter careers which were previously male preserves.
"Support and encouragement to female staff are crucial to ensure they feel comfortable and able to carry out both their family and child-rearing responsibilities as well as their work responsibilities."
Caroline Kennedy joined Synergy Learning nine years ago through an internship scheme and it now the company's senior designer.
She said: “I’ve benefited from the ethos of the company, which sees learning and development as key for all employees equally, and I've been supported by its approach to work life balance, flexible working patterns and child care vouchers.”
