Just in time for International Women’s Day,  Scotland Women in Technology (SWIT) has announced the categories for their 2023 SWIT Awards.

Aiming to champion, celebrate, and invest in women in technology within Scotland, SWIT, which was founded in 2008, is a not-for-profit organisation driving gender equality in the tech ecosystem.

Silka Patel, Founder of Scottish Women in Tech, said: “Given that just 26% of the UK tech workforce are women, there’s a clear opportunity to close the growing technology skills gap by encouraging more of us into the sector. We started the awards in 2017 to celebrate those who are putting the work in to do this – and it’s fantastic to be back.”

Their 2023 Awards will have ten categories to celebrate and honour women in the tech ecosystem who are making a difference for gender equity in Scotland and the globe.

“In the years since our last ceremony,” Patel continued, “the conversation around equality has changed. It’s not just about the number of men vs women; it’s about the broader inclusion of people of all genders and sexualities – in addition to a wide range of other attributes. As part of that, we have revisited our awards categories, for example changing ‘Gender Aware Recruiter of the Year’ to ‘Inclusive Recruiter of the Year’.”

Nominations will open in April, and will close on August 18th.

You can find out more about the categories below.

Young Tech Champion of the Year

This award is reserved for a young person aged between 12 and 24 years old who acts as an advocate for technology and gender equality. Their activities would be inspiring other young people to pursue technology as a career or study option.

Technology Rising Star

A young woman between the ages of 16 and 30 in the early stages of their technology career would be eligible for this award if they demonstrate exceptional skills and talent in their work.

Technology Champion in Education 

An individual of any gender could earn this award for influencing the education agenda to inspire girls and those of marginalised genders to study technology subjects.

SME Employer of the Year

A small or medium enterprise organisation which has demonstrated commitment to advancing the careers of women in technology could win this award. This organisation would demonstrate how it implements practices to support women in their workforce as well as external initiatives to address gender imbalance.

Large Employer of the Year

This award would go to a large organisation which has demonstrated consistent commitment to advancing the careers of women in technology by sponsoring initiatives to address gender imbalance in their workplace and the wider workforce. The winner would be supporting women within their own company as well as supporting women externally to enter tech.

Inclusive Recruiter of the Year

A recruitment company or employer who demonstrates awareness of diversity and inclusive issues and is leading change in tackling inclusion for women in the technology recruitment pipeline could win this award. Progressive and inclusive practices would set the winner apart, by looking beyond ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, educational attainment, and background to recruit based on skills and talent.

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Diversity Initiative of the Year

The winning initiative would be focused on promoting gender diversity in tech. This may include a skills initiative encouraging women and girls to build digital skills to support a move to a career in technology, or an initiative to support and retain women already within a tech career.

Gender Diversity Ally of the Year

A man or non-binary person who has shown exceptional allyship in gender equality and inclusion is eligible for this award. This person would be a true gender champion, specifically to women through support, perhaps via sponsorship, mentoring, exposure, or championing inclusive practices within their organisation.

Inspirational Woman of the Year

Being an inspiration to others could win a woman this role, as long as they are working in technology. A trailblazer, leading the charge on technology and gender diversity could come home with this one.

Leader of the Year

To win this, a woman technology leader would have to demonstrate outstanding ability to lead or act as a visionary for technology. Winners would have a proven track record of leading change for the tech labour market.