Attracting greater diversity through alternative routes into tech

The UK’s tech sector is emerging as one of the nation’s greatest post-war economic triumphs, contributing nearly 8% of the country's total economic output (GVA). Despite the broader economy's stagnation since February 2020, the digital sector has seen a 12% surge. However, the tech industry still faces challenges in addressing skills gaps and attracting a more diverse talent pool. This raises a crucial question: Why does an attractive and resource-rich sector struggle with diversity?

To explore this, we commissioned an independent market research agency to survey over 2,000 individuals, both within and outside the UK’s tech and cybersecurity sectors. The Driving Digital Diversity research survey included participants from varied age ranges, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic groups, genders, and neurodivergent communities.

Each of these groups were surveyed on their attitudes and exposure to a potential career in technology and questioned them on the potential barriers they faced.

Driving digital diversity

Our first report in the Driving Digital Diversity  series emphasised why diversity is vital for the industry and the nation, highlighting perceived barriers to tech careers among diverse groups. Misconceptions about necessary qualifications and the influence of education on career choices emerged as significant factors deterring diverse talent from entering the sector.

Despite these barriers, there is a strong interest in tech careers. For those currently outside the sector, the primary motivations include high earning potential (18%), flexible or hybrid working opportunities (15%), and the fast-paced innovation (13%) that tech roles offer.

This second report in the series delves deeper into on Driving Digital Diversity and what the industry can do to attract more diverse talent. Currently, many respondents feel that the tech industry is not doing enough to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). A striking 65% believe diversity is worse in the UK tech industry than in other sectors and over a quarter (27%) view other industries as more inclusive.

Survey findings show a significant perception gap:

• 90% of tech industry insiders believe more could be done to encourage diversity
• 83% of cybersecurity professionals agree
• 61% of those outside the tech industry think more could be done

Nearly 38% believe the tech sector should try harder to attract individuals from minority or lower socio-economic backgrounds. A recent industry report on Diversity in Tech reveals that only 29% of tech workers are gender minorities, dropping to 21% in senior roles. However, ethnic diversity is somewhat better, with 25% of tech workers belonging to ethnic minority groups, though this too decreases significantly at senior levels.

Alternative routes into tech beyond University

Our research found many believe a tech career requires a tech-oriented degree, with 51% of respondents citing this as a barrier. This misconception is even more pronounced among Black women (60%) and Asian men (67%). The perceived high cost of IT education also deters potential candidates, particularly among Black men (41%) and women (40%).

Fortunately, steps are being taken to make university education more accessible. Scholarships, bursaries, and grants help mitigate costs, and record numbers of disadvantaged students are applying for higher education.

Alongside this, and contrary to the belief that a degree is essential, traditional degree routes were only one of many routes that those currently working in tech followed, highlighting there are numerous pathways into tech:

• Entry-level IT roles (20%)
• Undergraduate degree (16%)
• Apprenticeships (15%)
• Self-taught routes (15%)
• Specific technology related degree (8%)
• University open learning qualification (5%)
• Continuing professional development (CPD) (6%)
• Remote learning qualifications (5%)
• Evening courses (4%)

Organisations like Code First Girls, Coding Black Females, Tech Returners and School of Code also offer fully funded, intensive training programs that prepare individuals for tech roles swiftly. However, we also provide our own alternative routes, including:

• Industrial and summer placements 
• Apprenticeship and graduate schemes
• National Security Academy
• BAE Systems Cyber Academy
• Software Academy

We are also developing a Global Digital Academy, which will be an enterprise-wide approach to meet our digital skills needs. It will provide both initial apprentice and graduate digital skills training, but will also play a role in upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce.

Calling early careers and career switchers alike

Attracting mid-career switchers is equally important. Nearly half (48%) of consumers polled are considering switching to tech jobs, with interest rising to 65% among minority respondents. Furthermore, 49% of current tech workers transitioned into the sector later in their careers.

Everyone should be able to reach their potential and enhancing DE&I in tech can contribute significantly to this goal. Greater transparency in DE&I metrics and a focus on alternative career pathways within business can help bridge the talent gap and drive lasting change. While challenges remain, the industry's commitment to diversity offers hope for a more inclusive and dynamic tech sector in the UK.

Everything we do at BAE Systems Digital intelligence creates a safer future. In a new age of cyber threats, our people have a shared vision to protect the connected world, to create and deliver intelligent global solutions across an ever changing technological landscape. Find out more about routes into tech and career opportunities at BAE Systems.