Women In Technology (WIT): A Paradigm For Working Toward Systemic Change I...


Panel/Workshop:	Concurrent Session
Paper Title:	Women In Technology (WIT): A Paradigm For Working Toward Systemic Change In Science, Technology, Engineering And Math (STEM) Education And Employment
Date & Time:	06/09/03 09:45
Abstract:	Seeing the need for systemic change in STEM education, as well as facing the challenge of developing a qualified technology workforce, the Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (Maui, Hawaii) created The Women in Technology (WIT) Project to focus on addressing gender equity issues directly, working toward systemic change throughout the pipeline from education to workforce climate. Our process for instituting this program serves as a model any community with a growing technology industry can use to effect systemic change for gender parity. MEDB began by engaging employers on challenges in modeling their workforce to reflect the state’s diverse demographics. Because MEDB’s focus is economic development, employers were more candid about gender and ethnicity issues, providing valuable input on their need for assistance in recruiting and retaining qualified under-represented groups in our community. Developing a plan for effecting change through industry required support at the highest levels of both corporations and the government. MEDB saw a strategic opportunity to leverage other statewide initiatives. The community, led by senior congressional leadership, was working to strengthen our economy by reducing overdependence on tourism and to capitalize on federal investment in technology assets. However, lack of a qualified workforce was a potential barrier to building technology sector interest around these assets. MEDB, through interviews with technology employers documented a two-and-a-half year timeframe when imported employees desire to relocate home. Through data we collected, we were able to document the high cost of relocation and to demonstrate a diminished ROI for employers, thereby peaking their interest in growing a qualified workforce here at home. Gaining the support of educators was also needed. This effort was accomplished through first cultivating industry buy-in and then demonstrating to educators that they are training our youth to fill workforce needs. WIT actively engaged in development of many educational opportunities for students and training opportunities for teachers targeting STEM education, many of them centering around our technology assets. We continue to progress from the “older” grades to younger students, as we work to impact the full pipeline from grade school through the employment climate. MEDB convened gender equity recruitment and retention training for employers, that only three years later is showing a 10% increase in women placed in technology sector jobs. MEDB, through WIT, led, designed and sustained a workforce development initiative that continues to increase the number of women currently employed in and in the pipeline for technology sectors.
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