We Are The City expands footprint to further support women in tech

Due to growing demand from women in technology, recruitment firm We Are The City has cut the ribbons on new premises after expanding its team and services.

Since receiving private investment in June, the company has hired 10 additional members of staff and opened new offices in Hockley, Essex, to develop its services in relation to its job board. The firm also has offices in London.

Founded in 2008, We Are The City aims to help organisations attract, develop, support and retain female talent.

Speaking to Computer Weekly about its growing network of more than 26,000 members, Vanessa Vallely, managing director of We Are The City, said that for years it was just a popular website that directed female visitors to various places that could help them develop either professionally or personally.

The company is now developing a number of corporate programmes to help firms attract and retain their female workforce. "We are passionate about helping all women. However, we tend to focus on areas where we know there is an industry shortage," she said.

The company launched its online Careers Club in October, which aims to equip women with core skills and support as they navigate their way through their careers.  

Careers Club is a portal offering support for junior to mid-level women. Members benefit from a networking forum, monthly skills webinars and career support telephone calls, in addition to relevant videos, downloads and e-books.

According to Vallely, more than 60 women have joined to date, benefiting from webinars, support calls and myriad careers resources.

We Are The City also recently launched a Women in Leadership Mentoring Programme, which is designed to pair third-party senior mentors with other IT professionals.

The company also offers maternity coaching for companies seeking help with maternity leavers by preparing them for their return to work through a six-month programme.

We Are The City has also ramped up the number of career workshops and training packages it offers.

“It is a really exciting time for We Are The City and we are looking forward to 2015 being the year where we can really expand our services to help more women achieve their career aspirations and goals,” added Vallely.

In addition We Are The City is working in partnership with Computer Weekly to launch a Women in IT section on its website, which will include job opportunities, IT-related events, and visibility of networks.

Vallely said the page will offer “opportunities for tech women to give back to the future of female technologists”.