Developer program redressing gender balance in STEM

Developing programming and coding technologies. Website design. Programmer working in a software develop company office.

As part of a commitment to increasing the number of women in technical roles, MYOB have launched the  developher program, which provides successful candidates with a fully paid, full-time internship. Each participant who successfully completes the program is offered full-time employment with MYOB as an associate developer.

MYOB CEO Tim Reed has committed to recruiting more women in technical roles, aiming to have at least 40 per cent of graduate level roles in the engineering team to be filled by women each year.

“The developher program was put in place to help address the shortage of female developers in the industry,” MYOB’s Chief Employee Experience Officer Helen Lea said. “We know that a diverse workforce will support greater innovation and help us to create even better products. It goes beyond that too – creating opportunities for women in technical roles is the right thing to do.”

The company hopes that having programs such as developher in place will encourage other tech companies to be proactive about attracting women into technical roles.

Hannah Deutscher successfully completed the pilot developher program, becoming an Associate Developer in January this year. “Companies need to be proactive about attracting women to technical roles,” Deutscher said. “There’s a misconception about working in the industry, that’s why a lot of women might not follow that path.”

“People think you sit in a cubicle all day, that it’s a boys’ club or that you have to be a geek who likes playing video games. Some companies might have that kind of environment, but I think larger companies, like MYOB, who have the ability to hire wide ranging teams and train the right person for the role have a very different culture,” she added.

No experience or qualifications necessary

The last intake of developer in 2016 attracted around 200 applications, showing there’s a strong appetite for women who want to learn to code. Since then the program has been refined to include professional training from Coder Academy, as well as on-the-job mentoring and learning.

“Developher isn’t a graduate program” Lea said. “Applications are open for all women interested in a career in this field, regardless of their previous experience. If you’ve ever considered a career change into technology but not been sure how – developher is the answer.”

Applications are due 30 May 2018, and are currently offered in Melbourne. The program is fully paid and tailored to each individual’s pace of learning.