Senior mentees and mentors in Womentor 2017
The skills shortage in the IT and telecoms sector is pressing and requires action. The fact that women still largely opt out of the industry is one of the challenges facing Swedish IT and telecom companies. This week, 24 companies began this year's commitment to the 11th edition of the Womentor mentoring and change program, which helps companies work systematically to increase the proportion of women in leadership positions. Ultimately, it is about increasing the ability of the whole industry to attract and retain the best talent, both men and women.
When Womentor, run by IT&Telecom companies within Almega, started in 2006, the proportion of women in the industry as a whole was 32% and the proportion of female managers 25%. Ten years later, the proportion of women in management had increased to around 28%, while the proportion of women in the industry overall had actually decreased to around 29%. In an industry where the skills shortage is one of the biggest challenges, the fact that women are under-represented is a serious problem that requires action.
Despite the slow pace of change across the industry, evaluations of the ten rounds of Womentor so far show that it is achievable. It is clear that the companies that succeed are those whose top management take the issue seriously.
- What distinguishes Womentor from other programs is that it is not only aimed at individuals but involves the whole company signing up to be active in a change process. Setting goals and carrying out activities that lead to the goals being achieved produces results. The commitment and systematic follow-up from the company management is the key to success," says Anne-Marie Fransson, Director of IT&Telekomföretagen.
- The fact that we have as many as five CEOs as mentors in the program this year, and very senior mentees, is encouraging because it shows both that there is commitment to the issue at the highest management level and that it is possible for women to make a career in the industry, says Anne-Marie Fransson.
High expectations for the Womentor year
- Being a Womentor mentee feels incredibly challenging and fun! To be able to focus for a whole year on myself and my leadership, while at the same time working to increase the proportion of women in leading positions within IBM and my industry in general, feels extremely motivating and urgent. For me, the combination of leadership training, mentorship and project work with other participants feels like a real recipe for success," says Åse Kastell, Associate Partner - Public Sector Client Manager at IBM, and mentee in Womentor 2017. See all this year's mentees here.
- I expect a developing, reflective and fun year together with my mentee Anna! To be part of her journey, to challenge and be there for her in her development as a leader and thereby also learn more myself, says Pernilla Wikman, Head of Portfolio & Project management at Telia Company, and mentor in Womentor 2017. See all this year's mentors here.
All companies participating in Womentor 2017
Agero, Capgemini, CGI, Comhem, CSC, Dustin, Evry, Fujitsu, HPE, IBM, IFS, Infocare, IP-Only, Microsoft, Nets, PA Consulting, Sogeti, Tele2, Telenor, Teleopti, Telia Company, Teracom, Tieto and 3 (Hi3G Access AB).