Diversity in tech on the rise with new hiring strategies, study shows

The tech industry is improving diversity within its ranks, with over half (52%) of businesses setting diversity targets, up from 46% last year, according to the Diversity in Tech 2023 report by talent and reskill training provider, Wiley Edge. The report also revealed an increase in the use of anti-bias training for interviewers and blind CV reviews compared to last year.

From companies that have implemented these measures, a substantial 96% have observed a positive change in their workforce diversity. However, the study also found a stagnation in the proportion of companies publishing neutral job descriptions, and a decline in businesses prioritising diverse shortlists compared to the previous year.

The data, collated from a survey of 300 respondents in senior IT leadership roles within medium to large enterprises, demonstrates that businesses are growing more receptive to anti-bias hiring strategies. This shift results in a positive influence on workforce diversity. Strategies that have seen an increase in adoption over the year apart from diversity target setting are anti-bias training for interviewers, used by 43% of businesses (up from 41% last year), and blind CV reviews, now used by 31% (up from 25%).

In contrast, the number of businesses prioritising diverse shortlists has dropped from 37% the previous year to 25% this year. The fraction of businesses publishing neutral job descriptions remains at 44%, the same as the previous year.

Wiley Edge's research suggests that employers across the tech industry are taking action and implementing strategies to improve diversity in their workforce. Khadijah Pandor, Head of Partnerships, EMEA & NA, at Wiley Edge, says, "It's encouraging to see the beginnings of a success story start to emerge, as employers of tech talent take action and introduce strategies to help improve workforce diversity. The positive outcomes that many employers are seeing only reinstates the value of this type of work, setting a positive example for other industries facing challenges to follow suit."

Despite the progress, she emphasised that "there is still more to be done to encourage talent from diverse backgrounds to consider and feel equipped to pursue a career in tech."

Wiley Edge endeavours to expedite this progress by assisting forward-thinking employers to diversify talent pipelines and training graduates from diverse backgrounds. Their alumni population is a testament to this effort, with 42% comprising women and 51% being Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group.

Among measures employed by businesses to improve diversity in tech are setting diversity targets, writing neutral job descriptions, implementing blind CV reviews, providing anti-bias training for interviewers, and prioritising diverse shortlists.