Digital and technology

The digital and tech sector is a major engine of growth and jobs in London. It accounts for 12 per cent of GVA and 8 per cent of employment. It is also a high-value sector offering skilled roles and high-paying jobs. 

Many digital and tech employers have recognised and sought to tackle EDI challenges in their industry. Examples of this are included throughout this toolkit, ranging from mentoring schemes and skills bootcamps to diverse recruitment practices. 

However, despite the sector’s significant growth and the wide range of jobs that it offers, there remains a notable lack of diversity among the workforce. 

Recent work from Diversity in Tech shows that 49 per cent of people from underrepresented groups believe that their identity or background negatively affects their access to opportunities in the sector.

Our own research suggests that the sector is still heavily perceived as white male-dominated and that there is generally a lack of awareness of the types of work and roles available among those not in the sector.

Employers have also highlighted barriers to improving the sector’s diversity, such as the digital skills gap and difficulties attracting diverse talent. 

This toolkit has been developed to help businesses address these challenges and to use their influence as employers to reset the perception of the digital and tech sector as a diverse and inclusive sector to work in. 

You can find out more about the Workforce Integration Network; Equality Diversity and Inclusion; and the Priority Groups.