Here’s how to find your confidence
Thinking about a career in public sector IT? It’s a field with lots of potential, and diverse voices are really important for making things better.
We wanted to share a story about how one woman found her path.
Caroline French, now Head of Transformation and Digital for Oxfordshire County Council, found a real boost from Socitm’s Empowering Women course.
She told us:
“I’m very thankful to Socitm and the Empowering Women programme. Without going on this programme I would never have released my inner confidence to make the decision to progress my career!”
What’s Empowering Women?
A course run in a supportive environment for women to grow, learn, and connect.
Through workshops, coaching, and mentoring, it helps participants develop their leadership skills and find their own unique style.
CEO Nadira Hussain originally designed the course when she was Socitm President in YYYY. It’s current format is thanks to alumna Meleri Jones. She massively shaped it when bringing the course to the Welsh Government a few years ago.
- Group project
Participants work together to develop a real-life solution that breaks new ground, challenges convention and creates conversation. - Belbin Self Perception Inventory
Belbin Team Roles can identify workplace behavioural strengths and weaknesses. It is helpful in developing people, resolving conflict and fine-tuning high performance. Reports provide the language to ensure that individuals and teams communicate and work together with greater understanding. - One-to-one coaching
Following the workshop and Belbin profiling you will have a session with an experienced coach on a challenge or goal of your choice, with particular emphasis on what is important for you and your future.
Why women avoid applying for technical roles
According to Women in Tech and Code First Girls these are some key reasons why women avoid tech roles.
- Unconscious biases in hiring practices can lead to unfair treatment and discourage women from applying.
- Job advert language can deter women. Research shows that gender-coded language can make women 50% less likely to apply for certain roles.
- Lack of role models. The tech industry has fewer female role models, which can make it harder for women to envision themselves in these roles.
- Imposter syndrome. Feeling they are not good enough for the job, which can prevent them from applying.
- Career progression. Women often face fewer opportunities for career progression in tech, which can be discouraging.
- Work-life balance. The demanding nature of tech roles can make it challenging to balance work and personal life, which can be a deterrent.
Addressing these issues involves creating more inclusive job adverts, providing mentorship programmes, and ensuring equal opportunities for career advancement.
Some positives
- The Home Office’s DDaT Women in Tech Programme
- Microsoft’s TechHer digital skills programme. Now live: TechHER for Government Spring 2025
‘If I did it, any woman can do it’ - Become a kick-ass developer. Take a course with Code First Girls.
What might be next?
If you’re feeling unsure about taking the next step in your career, something like our Empowering Women can be a great way to build confidence, discover your strengths and become part of a community you can call on for support.
Like Caroline’s story shows, sometimes a little support can make a big difference.
If you’re curious about opportunities in public sector IT, it’s worth exploring what’s out there. Your skills and perspectives could be just what’s needed to make a positive impact!
Personal development training journey
Use Empowering Women as part of your own Personal Development Learning Journey. It works really well with Introduction to emotional intelligence and Equality, diversity and inclusion.
Never used points before? Read your guide to using training points 🙂
Not a current member?
We’d love to hear from you and welcome you into our growing network of public sector professionals.
Email or call us and someone from the Socitm team will be happy to chat and give you more information.