The Dream Collective, a global diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), have launched SheDares, a free, online, interactive learning program in Australia, which aims to inspire professional women to consider pursuing a career in the technology industry, and show them the pathways to entry.
The development of SheDares was underpinned by research that confirmed barriers to women considering a role in the technology industry included the perception of a steep learning curve, not knowing where to start in terms of exploring tech career pathways, and a lack of visible female role models.
The SheDares curriculum was designed to help women overcome these barriers. The free program features four, online 45-minute self-paced modules focused on expanding perspectives, understanding transferrable skills, and equipping participants with pathways to build skills and find job opportunities.
Modules include practical advice for breaking into the technology industry, worksheets to apply new learnings, a career skills quiz, and fireside chats with women sharing advice about how they successfully transitioned into tech.
Sarah Liu, Founder and Managing Director of The Dream Collective (pictured), said, “According to the Harvard Business Review, women place higher barriers on themselves during the job application process.”
“SheDares was created to equip women, especially those from a non-tech background who wouldn’t ordinarily consider a role in tech, to pivot into this high-growth sector. If you love working with people, if you are creative, and if you want to help solve the world’s biggest problems, then the tech industry is an ideal calling for you, and I encourage you to consider the opportunities the sector presents.”
Findings from a new research report, titled Unlocking APAC’s Digital Potential: Changing Digital Skill Needs and Policy Approaches, prepared by strategy and economics consulting firm AlphaBeta, and commissioned by AWS, predicts that Australia will need 6.5 million new skilled and reskilled digital workers by 2025, which is an increase of 79 per cent of the existing workforce.
The average Australian worker will need to develop seven new digital skills within the next five years to keep pace with technology advancements and demand.
Adam Beavis, Managing Director, AWS Australia and New Zealand, said, “Amazon is committed to fostering a more diverse, inclusive, accessible, and equitable workforce. Diversity in both teams and leadership is a critical driver of innovation, customer service, creativity, and business growth.”
“By encouraging women to consider a career in tech through the SheDares program we aim help to increase diversity in Australia’s digital workforce, address the digital skills gap, and build resilience in our economy.”
After completing the modules, participants can access three practical pathways, designed by AWS, to help them prepare for a new career in tech.
The Build Skills pathway is for women who are interested in a career in the tech industry, and want to get started by building knowledge to help them break in. The pathway provides practical recommendations for deeper learning. This includes cloud training courses designed by AWS experts to build cloud skills and help prepare for AWS Certification exams, which demonstrate cloud expertise to colleagues and potential employers.
The Ready to Pivot pathway is designed for women who are excited by the tech industry and looking for the right opportunity. This pathway provides information and links to job opportunities at Amazon and with our customers and partners. The path also includes information about targeted job placement programs, including AWS re/Start for unemployed or underemployed individuals, and AWS Tech U, an accelerated workforce development program.
The Explore a Little More pathway directs participants to upcoming events that may interest them, such as an AWS workshop on innovation, hiring webinars with tips and tricks on how to interview for a role in the tech industry, and an AWS Cloud Essentials webinar to learn fundamental concepts of cloud computing and how they can unlock business value.
The Dream Collective and AWS will supplement the self-paced training with live panel events held throughout the year. These panels expose women to live conversations with senior technology leaders who have pivoted their careers, including speakers from both AWS and industry partners.
She Dares is now available online.
