Digital Pioneers
As part of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), the 2021 Women in Digital Scoreboard shows that there is still a gender gap in specialised digital skills. Only about 19 % of ICT specialists and just over a third of female STEM graduates in Europe are women. Digital pioneers offers practical training the opportunity to learn more about digital and technical professions.
Background and main activities
Only one out of three women graduates in science, technology, science and mathematics (STEM) in the European Union are women. There are also large gender differences in the STEM focus area in Austria. The share of women in STEM focus has increased very slowly over the past 20 years and remains below a quarter of all students.
Digital pioneers, in cooperation with their partner companies, offers women interested in STEM careers the opportunity to complete a digital year. This is a subsidised training course and a paid traineeship, allowing women to become more familiar with the professions of the future and to acquire valuable skills and experience.
In an 8-week basic education, young women acquire the skills needed to successfully enter jobs with a high level of digital content. They then work on projects in a partner company for at least eight months to apply what has been learned in practice, while at the same time getting to know digital industrial professions. After successful presentation of their final project, graduates of the Digital Pioneer Programme receive a national diploma from the respective partner company and the educational institution (e.g. Digital Campus Vorarlberg, BFI Oberösterreich, BFI Tirol).
The offer is aimed at women aged between 17 and 27, as well as companies wishing to participate as partners and offer traineeships.
What makes Digital Pioneers a good practice?
The Digital Pioneers project is characterised by its comprehensive and inclusive approach, focusing on creating equal opportunities and promoting STEM careers for women. With low access barriers, it signals that potential and passion are more important for digital and technical professions than traditional educational pathways. This win-win situation benefits not only the participating women but also the cooperating companies. The targeted eight-week basic training will provide prospective trainees with the necessary basic knowledge to work successfully in the partner companies.
In addition, Digital Pioneers helps close the STEM gender gap by opening the doors of women to this diverse and promising sector. In addition to addressing existing skills shortages in these areas, the programme also paves the way for a more balanced and fairer world of work of the future. Digital Pioneers is a strong sign of empowering women and promoting STEM careers at a time when digital and technological skills are crucial.
