Press Release

ThoughtWorks launches Back to IT initiative

31 October 2007 -

London, UK - ThoughtWorks today announced the launch of an initiative to encourage more women to rejoin the IT industry after maternity leave or career breaks. The programme, which will include two training placements at ThoughtWorks' London offices over a two-month period, will result in the opportunity for applicants who have successfully completed the placements to be offered roles at the company. The initiative is being sponsored by Equalitec, a UK not-for-profit organisation that aims to assist in the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in IT.

"We don't want to accept that there are not enough women in IT - we want to do something about it," said John Galioto, UK managing director of ThoughtWorks. "We also recognise that women who work as developers and then take a career break have tremendous value and ability that we want to help bring back into IT. The industry moves so quickly that one year out can mean many new technologies missed, deterring many women from returning. We're offering an intensive training course to bridge that gap."

With financial support from both ThoughtWorks and Equalitec, the course will be free for delegates, who will be required to meet a set of entry requirements. On the course, attendees will be given a refresher on the basics of programming. They will then be trained on a set of software development tools, as well as learning about the team practices that ThoughtWorks uses to develop software for its clients. The course is expected to attract up to 12 delegates in its pilot phase.

"According to an Office of National Statistics survey in 2004, over three quarters of women with qualifications in science, engineering or technology aren't working in jobs where they use these skills1," commented Maggie Berry, director of [womenintechnology.co.uk], a UK networking group for women working in the IT industry. "By focussing on this massive untapped resource, ThoughtWorks is helping to highlight just how rewarding a career in IT can be for women who've stepped out of the industry."

ThoughtWorks was founded in 1993 upon the firm belief that communities of talented, driven, and principled people can move mountains. The company now employs over 800 people around the world. ThoughtWorks has always recognised that its employees - 'ThoughtWorkers' - are its greatest asset and has built a reputation for innovative employment practices in the IT industry.

Further information for potential applicants can be found here

About ThoughtWorks

ThoughtWorks, Inc. ([www.thoughtworks.com]) is a global IT consultancy providing systems development, consulting, and transformation services to Global 1000 companies. The company's pioneering approach, which includes industry-acclaimed Agile and Lean best practices, helps CIOs maximise investment performance across a portfolio of complex, business critical applications, while reducing time and risk. In 2006 ThoughtWorks Studios was founded, to create software products based on the best practices established during the company's history. ThoughtWorks' 800 professionals serve clients from offices in Australia, Canada, China, India, the United Kingdom and the United States.

About Equalitec

Equalitec has been promoting employment and career opportunities in Information Technology, Electronic and Communications (ITEC) since 2001. It targets, in particular, women with a science, engineering or technology background, or equivalent management experience, and works with individuals, employers and other organisations to develop and mainstream best practice in recruitment, diversity and inclusion, professional advancement, and corporate cultures. This work has been supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the European Social Fund (ESF) and an industry wide partnership of key player organisations. More details about Equalitec can be found on [www.equalitec.org.uk]

About Women in Technology

[womenintechnology.co.uk] is a leading on-line job board and networking group for women working in the IT profession. Its role is to help major firms to raise their profile amongst female technologists in the UK. In turn the womenintechnology job board enables female IT jobseekers to apply directly to organisations which are actively seeking more female staff. For further information, please visit http://www.womenintechnology.co.uk.

Contacts:

For further information, please contact:
Sam Harrisingh
MS&L for ThoughtWorks
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 3137 / 3198
sam.harrisingh@mslpr.co.uk