The percentage of women working in the IT space has fallen over the past 20 years in the UK, according to APSCo, the Association of Professional Staffing Companies.

“It’s shocking that the percentage of women working in IT is actually falling,” said Ann Swain, chief executive of APSCo. “While it’s encouraging that employers, universities and schools are acknowledging the dearth of female professionals in STEM, and agreeing that more must be done, it is still a shame to see that female talent was undervalued and is still underrepresented in the technical disciplines today.”

APSCo reported women comprised a third of the information and communication technology workforce two decades ago; for the data, it cited a joint study by the Department of Trade Industry and the Skills Task Force.

Today, women represent only 16% of the IT workforce, APSCo said, citing data from community interest company Wise.

While the number of females in the sector is now increasing, the number of men joining is also rising, but at a more rapid pace.

And the latest figures from 2019’s A-level results show that computing is the only STEM subject where males dominate with just 13% of the 11,124 A-level entries coming from females.

“To increase the presence of women in STEM, we must continue teaching school children about the exciting opportunities available to both genders and employers must have inclusive policies in place such as flexi hours, part-time and remote working,” Swain said. “This will not only help create greater equality, but also a sector more diverse in skills and aptitudes.”