Generation UK & Ireland: What Diversity and Inclusion Means to Us

With diversity and inclusion becoming increasingly important factors for candidates seeking new tech opportunities, we caught up with some of Generation UK's latest graduates on how diversity within the sector is impacting their day-to-day.

Across the Leeds City Region there is now a shared awareness of the importance of building a diverse and inclusive workforce. It’s wonderful to see this approach being adopted, not just as a tick-box exercise, but as a sustained and meaningful way of ensuring employees are representative of the communities they are serving. Diversity of culture and background in a workplace brings a diversity of thought and insight. But what does building a diverse workforce actually look like in practice? And how can organisations attract a more diverse pool of candidates?

We spoke to three Leeds-based tech and digital bootcamp graduates from Generation UK & Ireland to find out more about their experiences moving into the tech sector and what diversity and inclusion means to them.

Aleksandra Zaghloul – Operations Engineer at Netcompany

The tech sector keeps growing so it’s no surprise that candidates from less conventional backgrounds are being given a chance to join the industry.

Aleksandra Zaghloul

My journey into tech has been a completely unexpected one. I’ve always enjoyed problem solving and analytical thinking but had absolutely no interest in anything related to computers, and I was vehemently against office desk jobs.

During a period of uncertainty and unemployment in my life, I was pointed towards the Generation AWS/restart programme by my family, and I eventually realised the value this course would have in my life. One year later, I am in a position in my life that is better than I could have dreamed possible.

Diversity can come with disadvantages; it can be more difficult to communicate with people who have different backgrounds. As I have not finished a computer science degree, occasionally I have lacked knowledge that a computer science graduate might take for granted. Yet I doubt anyone would deny that I have become an asset to my team. This is in no small part due to how welcoming and accommodating my team at Netcompany has been.

Diversity can also come with big advantages, and not just to the individual, but the business as a whole. Every day we come across new challenges, and there is no one perfect approach or one perfect person for all of them. In a team that has embraced diversity, new ideas and viewpoints are more easily accepted leading to a more flexible and adaptable way of work.

Seeing the variety of strengths of my team continues to inspire me every day, as there is so much we can learn from each other.

Eman Morad – DevOps Engineer at KPMG

I graduated from the AWS Cloud Engineering bootcamp with Generation last year, and (with zero tech background) I secured work as a DevOps Engineer after 3 months of graduating from the bootcamp. Since I began my role in DevOps engineering, I have witnessed the value of diversity in the tech sector. It is essential for success, and not just a buzzword.

Eman Morad

A rich tapestry of ideas, perspectives, and methods can be produced by teams made up of members with diverse backgrounds. This variety of viewpoints encourages creativity and invention, two qualities necessary for addressing issues and coming up with fresh ideas.

Another advantage of diversity in the tech industry is that it promotes a more friendly and inclusive workplace. Morale and engagement are raised when everyone feels free to be themselves at work, no matter their background. As a result, productivity rises. Working in a team where everyone is valued and respected for their contributions has personally helped me experience this good influence. Additionally, encouraging diversity in the tech sector is essential for tackling the skills shortfall. Companies can access a larger talent pool by pursuing and supporting diversity, which eventually results in a more knowledgeable and dynamic staff.

Diversity is crucial for success in the tech sector and is more than just a checkbox to be checked. I can vouch for the beneficial effects that a diverse team can have on innovation, inclusion, and talent acquisition as a DevOps engineer. Promoting diversity and fostering an inclusive culture is not just the right thing to do, but it also produces tech teams that are more productive and effective.

Andri Shulga – Cloud Consultant at Perform Partners

Fate dealt me a harsh blow, causing me to lose all the material possessions I had accumulated in my life, and rendering my previous life and professional experiences irrelevant.

Andri Shulga

Starting from scratch was daunting, and I had no idea where to begin or how to navigate the situation. Fortunately, through a stroke of luck and gratitude to fate, I stumbled upon Generation – an incredible company with even more incredible, selfless, kind, and wonderful people.

Becoming a part of Generation has been a transformative experience for me. It has given me the opportunity to discover myself and find my place in society. I have come to realize that each person is unique and brings their own valuable experiences to our society. This is why inclusivity is so important. Generation has provided me with the tools and support to overcome internal challenges like impostor syndrome and develop inner confidence and harmony with myself.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Generation, and it has inspired me to help others overcome difficulties and find their place in the modern world. With luck, I hope to contribute towards making the world a kinder and more tolerant place.

It’s a skills gap, not a talent gap

According to Tech Nation, 51% of women in Leeds and under 35 are working in digital jobs – one of the highest proportions across the UK’s cities. 50% of Generation Leeds graduates are women – many with childcare responsibilities which frequently presents as a further barrier to employment for many, and something we can support our learners in managing.

At Generation we recognise that diversity comes in many forms. 75% of our Leeds City Region graduates are from diverse ethnic backgrounds, with many bringing a wealth of experience and insight from other industries.

We also understand that true diversity means supporting people with a variety of backgrounds, and often challenging circumstances. Over half our bootcamp graduates (60%) come from the lowest 2 IMD Deciles in the region, and 40% received free school meals as children.

We know there’s a massive amount of potential talent in these areas that is often overlooked; the “skills gap, not a talent gap” we can recognise. Focussing on socio-economic backgrounds as another factor in diversity and inclusion helps the entire region in a myriad of ways, and continues to be a role Generation plays in supporting the upward trajectory of the Leeds tech scene and employment market.

Find out more about how you can support Generation in closing the digital skills gap on their website, and check out their previous Leeds Digital feature on ‘How Leeds is addressing the Digital Skills Gap’ here.

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