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Women Underrepresented in High-Skill Tech Roles Despite Rising IT Presence

Women remain underrepresented in high-skill technology roles in India despite growing participation in the broader IT workforce. A report by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship and GAN Global reveals a 20-25% gap in job readiness for specialized roles. Women hold only 14-16% of niche positions in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. The report recommends scaling up apprenticeships to bridge this gap.

Key Points: Women in Tech: Skill Gap Persists in High-Skill Roles

  • Women account for 35-38% of overall IT workforce but only 14-16% of niche technical roles
  • 20-25% gap in job readiness for specialized tech positions
  • India's tech sector may face a talent shortfall of over 1.8 million by 2027
  • Apprenticeships highlighted as key pathway to improve employability, especially for women in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
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Women remain underrepresented in high-skill tech roles despite growing IT workforce presence: Report

New report shows women hold 35-38% of IT jobs but only 14-16% of niche tech roles like AI and cybersecurity, with a 20-25% job readiness gap.

"We are seeing encouraging regional momentum in women's participation across apprenticeship programmes, with Hyderabad leading at 42% women apprentices. - Nipun Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship"

New Delhi, April 23

Women continue to remain underrepresented in high-skill technology roles in India despite growing participation in the broader IT workforce, according to a new report by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship and GAN Global.

The report highlights that while women account for 35-38 per cent of the overall IT workforce, there is still a 20-25 per cent gap in job readiness for specialised technical roles. It further noted that India's technology sector could face a talent shortfall of over 1.8 million by 2027, as demand for skilled professionals continues to outpace supply. The study pointed to a declining trend in women's participation from education to employment. Women constitute around 43 per cent of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates, but their representation drops to 30 per cent in engineering programmes and falls below 20 per cent in core engineering fields such as mechanical, electrical and civil disciplines. In the workforce, women make up only 14-16 per cent of niche technical roles, including areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing and programming, with employability in these domains remaining at approximately 22 per cent.The report emphasised that skill gaps remain significant across emerging technologies, particularly in advanced coding, AI, and cybersecurity, alongside sectors like manufacturing automation and electric mobility.Highlighting the role of apprenticeships, the report identified them as a key pathway to improving employability by combining on-the-job training with formal education, especially for women in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.Nipun Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, said, "We are seeing encouraging regional momentum in women's participation across apprenticeship programmes, with Hyderabad leading at 42% women apprentices. This progress underscores that when industry, academia, and government align, inclusive skilling can scale effectively. Structured Degree Apprenticeships are emerging as a credible pathway to bring more women into high-demand technical and digital roles across India's growing technology hubs."

The report recommended scaling up apprenticeship programmes, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and addressing barriers such as mobility, safety, and workplace support to enhance women's participation in the technology workforce.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As someone who works in tech recruitment, I've seen this firsthand. The gap isn't just about educationā€”it's about confidence and access to mentors. Many women I speak with have the skills, but need more support to transition into these high-skill roles. The mobility and safety barriers mentioned are very real.
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Priya S
Honestly, this doesn't surprise me. I'm a STEM graduate and the number of women in my class was nearly 40%, but by the time we hit the job market, many had dropped out due to family pressure or lack of internships. We need more programs like these apprenticeships to bridge that gap. Also, employers need to stop with the unconscious bias during hiringšŸš«
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Rajesh Q
While I support more women in tech, we must ensure it's done on merit. These special apprenticeship programs are good, but let's not lower standards just to meet quotas. Focus on skill development and let the best candidate win, regardless of gender.
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Neha E
The 20-25% job readiness gap is concerning, but I love how they're focusing on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. That's where the real talent potential lies! My cousin in Nagpur got into a degree apprenticeship and now works in cloud computing. These structured pathways work wonders. Government should incentivize more companies. šŸŒŸ
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Kavya N
The report mentions safety as a barrierā€”this is so true. Many families are reluctant to let daughters work late nights or in different cities. If we want more women in AI and cybersecurity, companies need to provide safe transport, flexible hours, and respectful workplaces. Until then, these numbers won't change much.

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