Today we're recognising International Women's Day in Technical Recruitment

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

At Redline, we’re committed to driving positive change for women in our workplace.

We support empowerment, equality and opportunity by creating an environment where all of our employees can reach their full potential.

Research from Women in Recruitment and Westminster Business School has found that up to 66% of females working in recruitment believe that family and caring responsibilities can negatively impact on talented women’s promotion and career prospects. Other perceived contributing factors included lack of confidence (40%) and an ‘old boy’ network-style atmosphere (41%).

Diversity is paramount for innovation, where 85% corporate diversity and talent leaders agreed that “A diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial to encouraging different perspectives and ideas that drive innovation” found in a global survey by WES.

We spoke to three of Redline’s senior management about why they think more women should consider a career in the high-tech sector and specifically technical recruitment:

Rachael Dent is the Head of Manufacturing & Operations at Redline: “I joined Redline over 7 years ago and there has always been a good mix of women and men in both consultant and management roles. Redline has historically employed 42% women and 58% men. Today, we’re just under a 50:50 ratio of male and female employees. However, there is a wider issue which affects why fewer women are attracted to work in technical recruitment. Low female engagement in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors still plays a huge role in gender diversity in the workplace. I believe that having a good balance of both men and women at senior management helps us to attract and retain more women into the business. We are role models to aspiring female technical recruiters.”

Natalie Tyler, Redline’s Sales and Marketing Manager has worked in the field of technical recruitment for over 10 years and offers some advice to employers in the technology sector on how they can encourage more women to join the technical arena: “In the past, technical recruitment was often seen as a “sexist, laddish culture”, but today it’s a key market within an industry generating  £35B in the UK. The stereotypical norms are being blown away. As employers who successfully hire and attract the best, diverse talent, we really take recruitment seriously and review all of our processes to be diverse and inclusive.

“It’s also important that our clients strive to have a diverse workforce”, says Natalie. Today, businesses are faced with an ever-changing, and increasingly complex landscape which requires fresh thinking and innovative new approaches. Businesses who make diversity a priority will be one step ahead as they draw on a broad range of talents, cultures and ideas.”

Janet Marsh, Redline’s Manufacturing and Operations Manager has been working for Redline for 18 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the high-tech manufacturing recruitment arena. “It is clear that companies with women in their workforce from engineers through to managers and executive committees, are more successful. A diversity and inclusion strategy is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s a critical objective for British and international engineering and technology businesses, impacting both their ability to attract and retain talent, and improve their bottom line. As an experienced specialist recruiter, to me today’s ‘ideal candidate’, is one who has excellent communication skills as well as technical ones. Having a combination of great people skills, creativity, and excellent technical understanding will be a passport to a flourishing career – somebody with that combination of skills is going to be highly sought after.”

Redline Group offers knowledge-led, tailor-made recruitment programmes to suit clients’ specific needs, adopting a ‘partnership’ approach to ensure a detailed understanding of clients’ objectives and requirements.

If you are an aspiring Recruitment Consultant and have the motivation and ambition to work in this rewarding environment, the next Academy in May 2019 could be for you. Please click here for more information.