''Technnology Inclusive'' is an initiative of the Industry Coalition: WENB, Bouwend Nederland, Metaalunie, Techniek Nederland and FME. Together with partners Platform Talent for Technology and VHTO, they want to ensure that both women and other less represented target groups feel welcome, at home and safe on the technical labor market. This pilot is the first activity arising from the Action Plan for Labor Market Shortages Technology, Construction and Energy in which diversity and inclusion are an important pillar.

The right example

Tanja Loeff, director of the installation company and also vice-chairman of Technology Netherlands, sets the tone at the kick-off of the program:

We think girls in technology are the most normal thing in the world, but that doesn't automatically mean we have many girls on board. We see an increase in the number of girls in the study programs and girls are very driven, but we do not yet see them in the workplace. If you complete this process in June, you will have quite a task ahead of you. For you are able to lead by example.

Gender Bias

But it's not as simple as we think. Ailsa Leadbetter of VHTO tells us about the current state of women in technology. The choice for girls to actually enter technology – and specifically technical functions – is unconsciously negatively influenced. It turns out that we suffer from a gender bias: an expectation that you base on certain characteristics. This bias is formed by the stories and images we are presented with on a daily basis. Google images of "mechanic", what do you see?
Thinking in stereotypical male and female occupations starts at a young age: between 5 and 7 years old. Leadbetter shows us the effect of this in a video about stereotyped professions during a guest lesson at primary school. VHTO's answer to this is therefore: Fix the system, not the girls.

A Dutch probleem

International research also shows that the gender bias in our country is exceptionally large: of 66 countries worldwide, it appears that we in the Netherlands associate technology most strongly with men. So it's a Dutch problem. This, together with a number of other factors (such as a mismatch in terms of employment or a lack of role models), means that with every moment of choice, fewer and fewer girls see their future in technology.

Hope

But there is also hope. The subject is a hot topic and that has resulted in great plans, such as
the Aanvalsplan Techniek of the Industrial Coalition, the Aanvalsplan Chronisch Tekort ICT’ers and the Actieplan Groene en Digitale Banen.

A good example like Unica offers inspiration. The installation company has already taken some steps on this theme. Kim Thannhauser: 'With the current "war on talent" going on, we had two choices: either fish from the same pond, or look for a different solution. We chose the last one.' That is why Unica started a program in 2020 that aims to double the female intake. For example, a mentoring program and a platform have been set up for female employees and the performance of managers on KPIs is being measured on a structural basis.

The upcoming “Technology Inclusive” sessions will explore solutions such as creating an inclusive company culture.