Bright future in tech sector, pupils told

Young women can look forward to bright futures in tech industries, including in computer programming, Australian businesswoman Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen said yesterday.

Dr Beekhuyzen delivered that message to 40 Dunedin year 8 and 9 pupils in a lively talk at the Otago Polytechnic.

She has spent her life studying information technology (IT), founded the Tech Girls Movement, and has written Tech Girls are Superheroes, a book promoting girls in technology.

Dr Beekhuyzen said IT provided flexible, well-paid jobs, and later added that meeting the girls had been ``inspiring''.

Polytechnic staff said the IT industry was the third most valuable sector in the New Zealand economy.

Women comprised more than 50% of the overall population, and had plenty of IT ability, yet made up less than 15% of IT industry employees.

Polytechnic head of enterprise and development Lesley Smith said the IT industry was ``screaming out'' for skilled people.

The polytechnic had started a related scholarship last year, and yesterday' gathering aimed to encourage more young women into the industry.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz