Equity and Equality in Tech: CTA’s Inclusive Career Pathways
At Corecom Technology Academy (CTA), we believe that the future of the tech industry is not just about innovation – it’s about inclusivity.
We are dedicated to creating a tech sector that reflects the diverse society we live in, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or identity.
Understanding Equity and Equality
Despite being used interchangeably, equity and equality have distinct meanings. While equality focuses on providing everyone with the same opportunities, equity acknowledges that different individuals may need varying levels of support to achieve fair outcomes.
It’s also important to note that other factors such as measuring equitable actions, resistance from deeply held beliefs, unconscious bias, and navigating the complexities of diverse teams can really slow down progress – especially when business priorities shift during difficult times like economic downturns.
At CTA, we are dedicated to both equality and equity, ensuring that each of our Associates receive the personalised support they need to kickstart a successful career in tech – right from day one.
The Equity Example: Shoes For Everyone
At a previous ‘Women in Tech’ event hosted in collaboration with Corecom Consulting, Amy Lynch, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Europe) at Thoughtworks, shared a great metaphor, stating “Equity might mean providing different sized shoes to runners in a race. One runner might get a boost with platform shoes, while another might need specific insoles. Everyone gets what they need to run their best race.”
She continued, “Equality is giving everybody, for example, a size 10 pair of Doc Martins to attend an event. But if someone is not a size 10, or they don’t like the brand, they’re going to feel very uncomfortable. So, if we want to be equal, that’s what we’d be doing. But if we’re pushing ourselves into equity, we would ask ‘What shoes do you need to be comfortable in this space?’ then we would provide people with the specific shoes they need to be comfortable and be themselves.”
This metaphor symbolises our approach here at CTA, recognising individual needs and removing barriers so that everyone can not only show up, but truly thrive in their careers.
Our Mission: Building a Diverse Tech Workforce
Through our Recruit, Train, Deploy model, our Academy team are on a mission to provide 1,000 individuals with an opportunity to thrive in tech. With 50+ successful tech careers already enabled, we focus on providing inclusive training that empowers our Associates to succeed in their chosen area of tech.
We strive to be recognised as the leading academy in the industry by cultivating top talent, delivering exceptional training, and fostering true inclusivity – driving positive change for our tech community.
This holistic approach is deeply rooted in our five core values:
Exceeding Expectations: Striving to deliver above and beyond for both our clients and Associates.
Succeed Together: Working collaboratively as a team with shared goals.
Equitable Opportunities: Creating equitable opportunities for those looking to get started in the tech industry.
Celebrate Differences: Building our business on individuality, encouraging our team to be proud to be themselves.
Continuous Improvement: Fostering a culture of development, both professionally and personally.
Championing Both Equality and Equity
At CTA, we don’t simply accept differences – we celebrate them. We showcase them. We thrive on them. And we continually urge and guide our clients, and our wider tech community, to do the same.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in everything we do, including:
Training and Workshops: Our Academy Team delivers engaging sessions on diversity, inclusion, and public speaking, alongside collaborative “anchor days” designed to foster connection and confidence among our Associates.
D&I Ambassadors: Our lovely ambassadors have been appointed to drive the diversity and inclusion agenda forward, challenging perceptions and practices.
Inclusive Community: We provide a supportive environment with peer-to-peer support and community groups such as our Neurodiversity Network and Proud at CTA networks. Read more about how we cultivate and embrace true employee (and wider community) support here.
Community Initiatives: We partner with local schools and universities to educate on career routes within the tech sector, empowering the next generation of tech specialists.
By cultivating an environment where every individual is heard, valued, supported, and empowered, we’re helping to build tech workforces that deliver stronger results and long-lasting impact – both internally and for our clients.
Want to contribute to making a change in our tech community? Reach out to James Taylor on LinkedIn for a chat.