{"id":210659,"date":"2025-06-24T14:59:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T14:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/210659\/"},"modified":"2025-06-24T14:59:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T14:59:10","slug":"sync-ni-opinion-barbara-mckiernan-managing-director-of-vanrath-explores-the-changing-face-of-northern-irelands-tech-workforce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/210659\/","title":{"rendered":"Sync NI – opinion – Barbara McKiernan, Managing Director of VANRATH explores the changing face of Northern Ireland\u2019s tech workforce"},"content":{"rendered":"

Words by Barbara McKiernan, Managing Director – VANRATH\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

For a long time, the tech world has been seen as a space dominated by men \u2013 a reputation built on years of a certain image: male developers coding away in dark offices, building the digital future one line of code at a time. It\u2019s a stereotype that has stuck around, even as the industry itself has started to evolve.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But that image is well overdue an update \u2013 especially here in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

The old idea of tech being a ‘man’s world’ no longer tells the full story. Today\u2019s tech industry is much more diverse, much more dynamic, and much more representative of the world it serves.<\/p>\n

As someone who\u2019s been lucky enough to work alongside some of the most exciting tech companies in Northern Ireland, I can say with full confidence: the face of tech is changing. And increasingly, that face is female.<\/p>\n

We are seeing more women entering the tech sector in Northern Ireland than ever before. And it\u2019s not just in the traditional tech spaces you might think of \u2013 it\u2019s right across the board.<\/p>\n

Software development may seem like the most visible or familiar tech role for women across NI, but we\u2019re also seeing rising numbers in areas like data analysis, cybersecurity, business intelligence, IT support, and tech project management \u2013 roles that are every bit as vital to the success of a business as the developers writing the code.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0Data Scientist Emma Patton on why life is too short not to find the right job for you<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

These roles need creativity, problem-solving, communication, empathy, strategic thinking, and leadership \u2013 qualities that women across Northern Ireland are bringing to the table in spades.<\/p>\n

And the companies who are embracing this shift are the ones reaping the rewards. They\u2019re seeing stronger, more agile teams, better project outcomes, and healthier workplace cultures. Yet despite the progress, we know we\u2019re not there\u2026 yet.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that women are still underrepresented in the industry. While progress is being made, we need to keep the momentum going. And that means creating clearer routes into the sector, shining a spotlight on the full range of roles available, and celebrating the women already doing great things in tech across NI.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest myths we come across when speaking to jobseekers \u2013 especially women considering a career pivot \u2013 is this idea that you need a computer science degree, or years of experience coding, to get your foot in the door.<\/p>\n

For some roles, that might be true. But for many others, it\u2019s not. There are multiple ways into a tech career that don\u2019t start and end with coding.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0Kathryn Harkin, Executive Director, Head of AI, FinTrU and Industry Chair, AI Collaboration Centre on non-linear careers and encouraging young girls into tech<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

A positive trend we\u2019re seen is the variety of backgrounds people are coming from before making the move into tech. At VANRATH, we\u2019ve helped women transition from roles in finance, customer service, education, retail \u2013 even healthcare \u2013 into new careers in IT and tech. Why? Because they had the transferable skills, the curiosity, and the confidence to take that step.<\/p>\n

The skills they bring with them \u2013 critical thinking, communication, managing deadlines, working with stakeholders \u2013 are exactly what many tech teams are looking for. They understand that while technical expertise can often be trained, qualities like leadership, resilience and collaboration are priceless.<\/p>\n

Northern Ireland is in a brilliant position compared to many regions because there\u2019s a strong support network for people wanting to transition into tech careers.<\/p>\n

Between coding bootcamps like Code First Girls, reskilling programmes sponsored by employers who are looking for fresh talent, apprenticeships designed for adults, not just school leavers, and other initiatives, there are now more accessible routes into tech than ever before.<\/p>\n

Organisations like Belfast Met, South Eastern Regional College and Queen\u2019s University offer training programmes designed for career changers. Many employers are also offering paid training and support for people coming into junior IT roles, business analysis, QA testing, or project coordination.<\/p>\n

And from what we\u2019re seeing in the market \u2013 companies are ready and willing to invest in people with potential, not just people with an extensive technical CV.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a perfect system \u2013 there\u2019s still more that could be done to widen access further \u2013 but the foundations are strong. And it\u2019s only getting better.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0Tech Craic – Eddie Coghlan, Head of Development, TP ICAP, and Kelly Nixon, Senior IT Consultant, Vanrath<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Encouraging more women into tech is good for the whole economy, not just for the industry.<\/p>\n

Having a more balanced team brings different viewpoints to the table \u2013 which leads to better ideas, stronger collaboration, and more inclusive products. Diverse teams are proven to outperform less diverse ones, and that holds just as true in Northern Ireland. They build better products, make better decisions, and create better workplaces.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen firsthand how women in project leadership roles can drive major digital transformation projects, how female data analysts have helped uncover key trends that<\/p>\n

change business strategy, and how women leading service desks have helped improve entire company cultures by simply making systems work better for the people who use them.<\/p>\n

In Northern Ireland, where the tech sector is growing, it makes zero sense to ignore half the population. Encouraging more women into tech is the right thing to do and it\u2019s smart business. There are hundreds of brilliant women working across Northern Ireland\u2019s tech landscape. Some names you might know; others you might not \u2013 yet.<\/p>\n

At VANRATH, we\u2019ve placed women into roles where they\u2019ve gone on to lead major projects, deliver groundbreaking products, and transform how businesses use technology day-to-day.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re passionate about helping women step into these opportunities. Part of that is about changing the conversation \u2013 showing that tech isn\u2019t one narrow path but a whole world of possibilities.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no magic wand for fixing underrepresentation overnight. But there are clear, practical steps we can all take.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0VANRATH hosts all-women roundtable in bid to empower females in tech and showcase NI\u2019s talent and capabilities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

My advice to anyone thinking about a move into tech \u2013 whether you\u2019re fresh out of university or considering a mid-career pivot \u2013 is simple: explore your options. Talk to someone in the industry. Ask questions. Be nosy. Most people will be more than happy to share advice and guidance \u2013 you might be surprised at how many doors are actually open.<\/p>\n

And for employers: think about where you\u2019re advertising, what your job descriptions sound like, and how accessible your interview processes are.<\/p>\n

Are job ads worded in a way that welcomes a wide range of applicants? Are interviews designed to spot potential, not just specific experience? Are training opportunities open to everyone?<\/p>\n

Take a closer look at your hiring practices, career development pathways, and internal cultures. If you want to attract more diverse talent, you have to make people feel like they belong.<\/p>\n

For policymakers and educators \u2013 keep investing in accessible training programmes, spotlight role models and success stories from diverse backgrounds, and support initiatives that get girls interested in tech from an early age.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0Lorna McAdoo – We need to widen the entire talent pool and open up the opportunities for everyone in society<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Change happens when everybody plays their part.<\/p>\n

Women can be, and are, great leaders and innovators and they raise the bar for everyone \u2013 this starts with helping them feel welcome in the tech industry.<\/p>\n

If we open the door wider \u2013 and actively welcome more women into the sector \u2013 the benefits will ripple out far beyond tech. They\u2019ll touch every part of our economy, our communities, and our future.<\/p>\n

Northern Ireland has so much going for it. A thriving tech ecosystem. World-class universities. A collaborative, community-driven spirit. We have the talent. We have the ambition. Now we need to make sure everyone has a fair shot at success.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sync NI’s Summer 2025 magazine celebrates women in tech across Ireland as we continue to encourage more women to enter the thriving sector and address the current gender imbalance. Read the\u00a0Summer 2025 Sync NI Magazine online for free here<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Subscribe to the\u00a0Sync NI newsletter<\/a>\u00a0for all the latest technology news, jobs and upcoming events in Northern Ireland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Visit\u00a0Sync NI online<\/a>\u00a0for the latest technology news in Northern Ireland.\u00a0<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Words by Barbara McKiernan, Managing Director – VANRATH\u00a0 For a long time, the tech world has been seen…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":210660,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5011],"tags":[2378,27007,51,12,1144,84123,16,15,84122],"class_list":{"0":"post-210659","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-northern-ireland","8":"tag-belfast","9":"tag-blog","10":"tag-business","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-northern-ireland","13":"tag-opinion-piece","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom","16":"tag-women-in-tech-tech"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114738938793810623","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210659\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/210660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}