FITT - Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications

About Us

Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications [FITT] is a not-for-profit network established in 1989 that encourages and supports women in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry. FITT holds events and activities throughout the year to support, encourage and inspire women in the Australian ICT industry including:

	Networking – Breakfast, lunch or evening events in Sydney with stimulating speakers and opportunities to keep up to date and network with other people in the ICT industry.
	Mentoring – events and strategies to help women reach their potential and influence the direction of the ICT industry.
	Skills Development Workshops – practical workshops to increase women’s career opportunities.
	School Education – speakers for career events and other educational activities to encourage more females to join the industry.

Led by a voluntary Steering Committee of 16 women, FITT’s objectives are to:

	Encourage more women into the ICT industry
	Inspire women in the industry to achieve their personal aspirations and potential.
	Assist women to broaden their understanding of the ICT industry.
	Facilitate networking opportunities.

FITT also participates in AIIA NSW SIGS to improve opportunities and access for women in the industry and in national organisations and alliances to represent the interest of women in ICT.

FITT is a Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) and is also sponsored by Telstra.

FITT’s position on the issue of under-representation of women in the ICT industry:

As the ICT industry has matured and IT has converged with the telecommunications industry, the number and position of women in the ICT industry in relative terms has actually begun to decline. ABS statistics show that in Australia in 2003/04, only 16% of all ICT workers were women. The proportion of women in the ICT industry at a management level is even lower than the overall figure – just 5.7% of women in the ICT industry hold managerial positions.

Another concerning statistic is that girls of school age are not choosing to study ICT-related subjects. Findings from a study conducted by the NSW Department for Women reveal that 35% of Year 8 girls choose ICT subjects compared to only 17% of girls in Year 10 – a 50% decline in take up.

As females make up 52% of Australia’s population, their drastic under-representation in the ICT industry is of concern to both government and the organisations that make up the ICT industry. However, this is a complex issue that will require time and resources to reverse.

The FITT Steering Committee believes that it can contribute by promoting the industry to girls and women who are choosing their careers and by supporting those who enter the industry, encouraging them to reach their potential.