Dive Brief:
- CompTIA announced Monday a partnership with Out in Tech, a community for LGBTQ technology professionals, with the goal of expanding opportunities for LGBTQ tech talent, CompTIA said in a statement.
- The nonprofit information technology industry association will join Out in Tech’s Qorporate program, a collection of companies committed to supporting job opportunities for LGBTQ people and other underrepresented groups in tech. Qorporate members have access to a private virtual community, speaking opportunities and a job board for LGBTQ candidates, CompTIA said.
- “When it comes to diversity in tech, 40 minds are better than one,” Andrew Lowenthal, executive director of Out in Tech, said in a statement. “By weaving together the collective experiences of our founding members, we will shine a light on what’s working, push the envelope with new ideas, and create more equitable and inclusive workplaces for all underrepresented groups.
Dive Insight:
Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts remain an active consideration for the tech sector. A 2021 survey of workers in the industry found that 55% said they believed their employers could be doing more to improve DEI, while 65% of women and non-White workers said they had experienced some form of work-related bias.
Broadly, most employers dedicate few resources to DEI, according to a recent survey published by the Society for Human Resource Management and the Boston College School of Social Work.
Stakeholders have put forward a number of strategies for addressing inclusivity, but from an HR perspective, creating an inclusive culture may go beyond any one program. Some firms have reported success in attracting a more diverse talent pool by adjusting referral programs and embracing candidates who come to the industry from nontraditional backgrounds.
Hiring managers in technology need to work closely with HR to determine how to better find diverse candidates, according to an October (ISC)² report. Others have advised looking to external partnerships for support, CIO Dive reported.
