Scotland Women in Technology Awards (SWiT), which is entering its second year, is the only national Scottish event that recognises and celebrates women at all levels operating within the technology sector.

In the Scottish tech sector, women account for only 18% of the workforce and even fewer make up the number of computing undergraduates at 16%, these poor numbers reflect why events like this are so important to the sector.

The SWiT awards not only highlight the women already doing outstanding work in the field, it also helps to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue tech careers. The platform champions women who can serve as role models, showing young girls that thriving careers in technology are possible. Nominations are open until the 24th of August and can be made online. The winners will be announced at the award ceremony, which will be held in Glasgow on the 24th of October 2018.

This year’s categories include:

• Gender Aware Recruiter of the Year
• Rising Star
• Technologist of the Year
• Employer of the Year
• Primary School Teacher of the Year
• Secondary Teacher of the Year
• Inspirational Woman of the Year
• Leader of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

Building on Last Year’s Success

Last year’s inaugural event was a roaring success with over 100 nominations and more than 300 influential guests, including Scottish Ministers and several industry heavyweights, attended the evening award ceremony.

SWiT  is pleased to welcome back retail giant Amazon as it returns for a second time to sponsor the event. Last year the firm was the event’s gold sponsor but due to last year’s success and the company’s ongoing commitment to championing gender diversity it will be the headline sponsor for 2018.

Lynsey Campbell, Chair of SWiT, said: “Last year was the inaugural Scotland Women in Technology awards and we were overwhelmed with the number of nominations received and the talent across Scotland’s tech sector.

“This year the awards will be even bigger and better, with new categories which recognise the contribution of people across the education and workplace pipeline who support girls to pursue technology careers and support women to succeed in them.

“I would encourage employers, colleagues and teachers across Scotland to think about the women they know who are making waves in tech and who deserve to be recognised, these awards are a perfect way to do that.”

An Opportunity to Recognise Hard Work

Sharon Moore, Winner of the Inspirational Woman in Leadership award in 2017 said: “Winning the Inspirational Woman in Leadership award demonstrated to me that my hard work is truly paying off; it showed me that maybe I am making the difference I’d always hoped I would.

“Being put forward was a complete surprise to me and I would encourage others to think about the positive impact their nomination could have on their nominee, how much it could drive them on to bigger and better things when they see they are being recognised.”

Graeme Smith, Managing Director of Amazon’s Edinburgh Development Centre, said: “The Scotland Women in Technology Awards celebrate the very best of Scottish talent who lead the way in making our industry a global success.

“The awards not only shine a light on the great work being achieved by women of all levels but also helps inspire the next generation of women to pursue a career in the industry.

“As such, I would encourage any employers working in Scotland’s technology sector to take the opportunity of recognising talented women who are making a difference and shaping the future of their business.”

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