By Alisha Ripley, Performance and Delivery Manager, Working Well Working Health and Pioneer Programmes, Ingeus.

This International Women's Day, I am honoured to share insights on accelerating action in the digital and tech sectors. While the digital and tech sector stands strong on its own, it is crucial to recognise the integration of digital skills across all industries. As an employability provider, I see first hand the growing demand for digital proficiency and confidence in the workplace.

In 2020, I took nine months of maternity leave during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon my return, I encountered significant changes: Microsoft Teams had become ubiquitous, every new starter kit included a headset, and familiar functionalities had shifted within Microsoft applications. Even as a digital data champion, I needed time to adapt. This experience highlighted the challenges faced by those less inclined or confident in technology.

Consider the women who have been out of the workforce for extended periods. A grandmother adept at using FaceTime to read bedtime stories to her grandchildren, or a mother managing school-related apps for her children, possess valuable digital skills. These skills, though acquired outside the workplace, are highly transferable. However, there is often a disconnect between the language of tech in personal and professional contexts.

Our responsibility as employability providers is to bridge this gap. We must ensure that participants, regardless of their time away from work, can embrace workplace technology and recognise the relevance of their out-of-work digital skills.

For example, our Money Management Advisors encourage participants to use utility company apps for meter readings and direct debit management. Similarly, our Health Team promote the NHS app for booking appointments and managing prescriptions, reducing the need for early morning queues at the doctor's office.

In conclusion, returning to work after maternity leave was illuminating for me. It underscored the importance of supporting women in leveraging their digital skills, both in and out of the workplace, to thrive in today's tech-driven world.