Words by Barbara McKiernan, Managing Director - VANRATH
For a long time, the tech world has been seen as a space dominated by men – a reputation built on years of a certain image: male developers coding away in dark offices, building the digital future one line of code at a time. It’s a stereotype that has stuck around, even as the industry itself has started to evolve.
But that image is well overdue an update – especially here in Northern Ireland.
The old idea of tech being a 'man's world' no longer tells the full story. Today’s tech industry is much more diverse, much more dynamic, and much more representative of the world it serves.
As someone who’s been lucky enough to work alongside some of the most exciting tech companies in Northern Ireland, I can say with full confidence: the face of tech is changing. And increasingly, that face is female.
We are seeing more women entering the tech sector in Northern Ireland than ever before. And it’s not just in the traditional tech spaces you might think of – it’s right across the board.
Software development may seem like the most visible or familiar tech role for women across NI, but we’re also seeing rising numbers in areas like data analysis, cybersecurity, business intelligence, IT support, and tech project management – roles that are every bit as vital to the success of a business as the developers writing the code.
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These roles need creativity, problem-solving, communication, empathy, strategic thinking, and leadership – qualities that women across Northern Ireland are bringing to the table in spades.
And the companies who are embracing this shift are the ones reaping the rewards. They’re seeing stronger, more agile teams, better project outcomes, and healthier workplace cultures. Yet despite the progress, we know we’re not there… yet.
It’s no secret that women are still underrepresented in the industry. While progress is being made, we need to keep the momentum going. And that means creating clearer routes into the sector, shining a spotlight on the full range of roles available, and celebrating the women already doing great things in tech across NI.
One of the biggest myths we come across when speaking to jobseekers – especially women considering a career pivot – is this idea that you need a computer science degree, or years of experience coding, to get your foot in the door.
For some roles, that might be true. But for many others, it’s not. There are multiple ways into a tech career that don’t start and end with coding.
A positive trend we’re seen is the variety of backgrounds people are coming from before making the move into tech. At VANRATH, we’ve helped women transition from roles in finance, customer service, education, retail – even healthcare – into new careers in IT and tech. Why? Because they had the transferable skills, the curiosity, and the confidence to take that step.
The skills they bring with them – critical thinking, communication, managing deadlines, working with stakeholders – are exactly what many tech teams are looking for. They understand that while technical expertise can often be trained, qualities like leadership, resilience and collaboration are priceless.
Northern Ireland is in a brilliant position compared to many regions because there’s a strong support network for people wanting to transition into tech careers.
Between coding bootcamps like Code First Girls, reskilling programmes sponsored by employers who are looking for fresh talent, apprenticeships designed for adults, not just school leavers, and other initiatives, there are now more accessible routes into tech than ever before.
Organisations like Belfast Met, South Eastern Regional College and Queen’s University offer training programmes designed for career changers. Many employers are also offering paid training and support for people coming into junior IT roles, business analysis, QA testing, or project coordination.
And from what we’re seeing in the market – companies are ready and willing to invest in people with potential, not just people with an extensive technical CV.
It’s not a perfect system – there’s still more that could be done to widen access further – but the foundations are strong. And it’s only getting better.
Encouraging more women into tech is good for the whole economy, not just for the industry.
Having a more balanced team brings different viewpoints to the table – which leads to better ideas, stronger collaboration, and more inclusive products. Diverse teams are proven to outperform less diverse ones, and that holds just as true in Northern Ireland. They build better products, make better decisions, and create better workplaces.
I’ve seen firsthand how women in project leadership roles can drive major digital transformation projects, how female data analysts have helped uncover key trends that change business strategy, and how women leading service desks have helped improve entire company cultures by simply making systems work better for the people who use them.
In Northern Ireland, where the tech sector is growing, it makes zero sense to ignore half the population. Encouraging more women into tech is the right thing to do and it’s smart business. There are hundreds of brilliant women working across Northern Ireland’s tech landscape. Some names you might know; others you might not – yet.
At VANRATH, we’ve placed women into roles where they’ve gone on to lead major projects, deliver groundbreaking products, and transform how businesses use technology day-to-day.
We’re passionate about helping women step into these opportunities. Part of that is about changing the conversation – showing that tech isn’t one narrow path but a whole world of possibilities.
There’s no magic wand for fixing underrepresentation overnight. But there are clear, practical steps we can all take.
My advice to anyone thinking about a move into tech – whether you’re fresh out of university or considering a mid-career pivot – is simple: explore your options. Talk to someone in the industry. Ask questions. Be nosy. Most people will be more than happy to share advice and guidance – you might be surprised at how many doors are actually open.
And for employers: think about where you’re advertising, what your job descriptions sound like, and how accessible your interview processes are.
Are job ads worded in a way that welcomes a wide range of applicants? Are interviews designed to spot potential, not just specific experience? Are training opportunities open to everyone?
Take a closer look at your hiring practices, career development pathways, and internal cultures. If you want to attract more diverse talent, you have to make people feel like they belong.
For policymakers and educators – keep investing in accessible training programmes, spotlight role models and success stories from diverse backgrounds, and support initiatives that get girls interested in tech from an early age.
Change happens when everybody plays their part.
Women can be, and are, great leaders and innovators and they raise the bar for everyone – this starts with helping them feel welcome in the tech industry.
If we open the door wider – and actively welcome more women into the sector – the benefits will ripple out far beyond tech. They’ll touch every part of our economy, our communities, and our future.
Northern Ireland has so much going for it. A thriving tech ecosystem. World-class universities. A collaborative, community-driven spirit. We have the talent. We have the ambition. Now we need to make sure everyone has a fair shot at success.
Sync NI's Summer 2025 magazine celebrates women in tech across Ireland as we continue to encourage more women to enter the thriving sector and address the current gender imbalance. Read the Summer 2025 Sync NI Magazine online for free here.
