Breaking barriers: How flexible tech education is empowering women in the workforce

Gender equity in the workplace has proven to be a powerful driving force for business success and economic growth. Even so, the inclusion and progression of women in the workforce has been slow, especially in tech.

According to the World Economic Forum, while the percentage has been growing, only 28.2% of STEM workers are women worldwide. In Canada’s tech industry, women remain a minority and the higher up the ladder we look, the fewer women we find.

The good news is, there are many ways to support women in tech, and education is a major one. It’s not only a key stepping stone to help women break into tech, but it can also help them get ahead. This is especially true when education is flexible, as it helps women handle competing priorities like a job and caregiving responsibilities.

In Canada, institutions like Lighthouse Labs are offering flexible learning opportunities, making education accessible to women and helping many pivot into tech and grow rewarding careers. Let’s explore how flexible tech education is paving the way for greater diversity, innovation, and growth in Canada’s digital economy.

The barriers women face in tech

When it comes to working in the tech industry, women can encounter barriers almost every step of the way. As they consider what to pursue after high school, many women turn away from tech due to gender stereotypes that prescribe leadership and STEM to men. They may also steer away due to limited funds and a lack of flexible education options to balance having a job.

Even if women do complete an education in tech, once they reach the workplace they encounter obstacles like a lack of visibility, imposter syndrome, tokenism, biases in hiring and promotions, and lower earnings for the same roles compared to men due to the gender pay gap. Additionally, if they choose to become mothers, their career progression may be negatively impacted by taking parental leave and devoting time to caregiving duties.

Due to these barriers, women only make up 34.8% of workers in Canada’s digital economy, even though they make up 48% of Canada’s workforce. The percentage of women is even lower when we look at career progression, with 30% of women holding executive and senior management positions globally, and only a staggering 9% of women reaching those levels in tech.

These barriers also impact women’s earning power. According to public policy and leadership think tank The Dais, men in Canada’s tech industry earn $20,000 more on average than women. This has worsened over the past 9 years, tripling from $7,200 since 2016.

The impact of flexible tech education on career growth

Despite the discouraging stats, flexible tech education has proven to be an effective way of easing the uphill battle that women in tech often experience. Here are a few reasons why this flexible approach is impactful to break barriers for women in tech.

Flexible delivery formats

Flexible tech education is often provided completely remotely and it offers two delivery formats, one being immersive and full-time, and the other being flexible and part-time. The remote aspect offers the opportunity for self-paced learning in tech, instead of having to attend a campus or follow a specific schedule. The full-time option allows women to reskill or upskill in the least amount of time possible while the part-time option allows women time for caregiving duties or work. This approach allows women to pursue studies in balance with other priorities like family, caregiving, and other responsibilities.

Many women also find that a flexible tech education allows them to get the knowledge they need at a faster and more affordable rate than a 4-year university degree. Even with the flexible and part-time option that is longer than the immersive and full-time option, the total time commitment remains considerably shorter than a university degree, with the added benefit of a slightly longer timeframe to absorb content while juggling other responsibilities.

Tailored support and mentorship

Another benefit of flexible tech education is the tailored support that women can receive. Programs frequently cater to specific interests and skill levels, allowing women to remain motivated and learn what they need to build the career they want. Instructors are also accessible to answer questions and clarify how content is applied in the real world.

Beyond knowledge, these educational programs tend to partner with organizations, businesses and government agencies to offer mentorship and help women make the contacts they need to enhance their networks and increase their chances of finding employment post graduation. These partnerships can also help answer the question of how to transition into tech as a woman by giving students the chance to chat with women who have already accomplished this.

Workshops and career support

Workshops are often an essential part of flexible tech education, given that programs are geared towards providing women with practical skills. These sessions allow students to put their knowledge to the test, which ultimately enables them to be job-ready.

In addition to opportunities for practicing skills, flexible tech education also tends to offer career support. This is game-changing in many cases because it helps women jumpstart their career, guiding them to figure out what kind of jobs they want to pursue and how to obtain them.

In the case of Lighthouse Labs for example, the career services offered include resume writing, interview workshops, career consultations, and employer outreach and matching. Offerings also include Demo Day, a special event where students showcase their final projects to an audience including potential employers and connections.

Breaking into high-demand tech roles

Flexible tech education can be the bridge between women and high-demand tech roles. To start, this is important because tech roles tend to be well paid, as evidenced by findings that show tech workers in Canada earn $40,000 more on average compared to non-tech workers. Moreover, access to these roles provides women with greater financial independence and the ability to financially contribute to their households.

Certain tech roles are also in high demand in Canada, making them great opportunities for women to transition into tech. Roles related to web development, data science and data analytics are in growing demand as technology becomes more embedded in everyday life. When it comes to cybersecurity, this area doesn’t only need more workers in general, it is also in dire need of greater gender equality. Few cybersecurity professionals are women, with data showing only 25% in 2023.

Increased confidence and networking opportunities

There’s definitely something to be said about the impact of community, especially when breaking into the tech field as a woman. Programs like bootcamps, an example of flexible tech education, can offer dedicated support via staff that help women build confidence in their skills and abilities.

The connections built with instructors and mentors can help women overcome imposter syndrome, and gain security and perspective to shape their own paths. The same can be said about connections made with other students, plus networking with potential employers and alumni. As they say, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Real-life success stories

More and more women are transforming their careers through flexible tech education options. Meenu’s story after completing Lighthouse Labs’ Cybersecurity Bootcamp, for example, is an inspiring one. After a long career as a Civil Engineer and some time in the world of banking, Meenu put in the work to switch gears and got the skills, support and connections to become the Cybersecurity Program Manager she is today.

In Maria’s case, she was able to shift careers and pivot from game design to full-stack development. After completing the Lighthouse Labs Web Development Flex Program, she secured an internship and eventually a role as a Full-Stack Developer at a startup. Stories like Meenu’s and Maria’s show us it’s definitely possible to break into tech as a woman, and flexible tech education options can be the gateway to make it happen.

Why flexible education matters for women’s inclusion in tech

Diversity in tech education is a good indicator of women’s inclusion in the field. According to the World Economic Forum, there are fewer women than men engaging in upskilling to transition into tech, limiting the number of women in technology careers and in the future of work. This means that if we want more diversity and gender equity in tech, connecting more women to flexible tech education options is vital. Supporting organizations that are working to increase the representation of women in tech, such as Lighthouse Labs, is important.

Flexible tech education doesn’t only give women access to jobs in tech, but it has far-reaching effects that can improve livelihoods and quality of life. As explained by Forbes, by serving as the bridge between women and tech jobs, this type of education can result in financial independence, economic contributions to households, flexibility that enables access to upskilling while managing competing responsibilities, sustainable employment, and enhanced support networks.

The perks aren’t only for women, however. The tech industry also greatly benefits from greater diversity and gender equity. Per the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), research shows that having women in tech leadership roles increases profitability, ethics, and innovation. This enables better problem-solving and greater progress.

How to get started: Tech education for women

So you might be wondering, where can one begin when searching for tech education for women? Whether you’re a woman yourself or interested in supporting women in your life, start by looking at the different flexible tech education options available. Explore the websites of these organizations to determine which program aligns the most with interests and specific dream jobs in tech.

Another relevant concern may be finances. Nowadays, many organizations have created ways to make tech education more affordable. Whether it be through financing options or scholarships, there are ways to make things work. One example is the Government of Alberta’s Women in STEM Scholarship. Another example is Lighthouse Labs' Financial Guide to support prospective students, which outlines options like provincial student aid, payment plans, immigrant and refugee loans, and student lines of credit, among others.

Last but not least, it’s also valuable to explore women’s tech communities and networks. Whether online or in-person, talking to other women who are pursuing studies or willing to be a connection in the field can help make the path easier. One example is AnitaB.org, which is an organization entirely dedicated to helping women get ahead in tech through things like networking, mentorship, events and more.

Flexible education is a powerful launchpad for women seeking to break into tech

Overall, flexible tech education can make all the difference for women looking to break into Canada’s digital economy. The flexibility it provides through online and on-demand learning allows women to get the education they otherwise wouldn’t be able to access, due to other priorities like jobs and children.

Other advantages beyond knowledge and skills that are provided by flexible programs, such as mentorship, networking and career services, are also key to helping women transition into tech careers. These resources can help women overcome insecurities, learn from others, and connect with those who can lend a helping hand. Altogether, these things empower women in multiple aspects and enable them to succeed, breaking barriers in tech that prevent women from entering the industry.

By transitioning into tech, women can find greater fulfillment and financial independence, and the tech industry can greatly benefit from the positive impacts of increased diversity, including innovation and economic growth. It’s a win-win. If you’re ready to take action, take a look at Lighthouse Labs’ flexible learning options and get started today!