Cork initiative bids to attract more women into working in tech sector

An initiative aimed at attracting, developing and retaining women in technology industries has been launched.

Connecting Women in Technology (CWIT) Cork is a collaborative initiative formed by women working at EMC, Dell, Intel Security, Tyco and VCE with an approach to increasing women’s contribution in the IT sector.

Angela Power, one of the women spearheading the initiative, which was officially launched last night, said the event was an ample networking opportunity to get to know people in the technology industry and for CWIT Cork to share its goals, mission and vision.

“We have our own Silicon Valley going on here and now we want to reach out and extend that across Cork City,” said Ms Power. “The goal is to establish who we are, what we’re about and what our aims and achievements are. We want to network and collaborate and, in doing so, develop and mentor women who are emerging into the technology sector.”

CWIT Cork was launched in Intel Security, City Gate, Mahon, and also aims to promote gender diversity by bringing more men into the discussion.

Sarra Chandler of Intel Security said the main aim of the event was to strike up relationships between companies and women: “We want to create a contact book with the idea that companies will give their details and email addresses and then we’ll reach out to them.”

Speakers last night also included Orla Flynn and Irene Sheridan of Cork Institute of Technology, one of the colleges involved in CWIT along with ex-president of Cork Chamber of Commerce, Gillian Keating.