Features | 08.03.2024 | 3 min read
Hitachi Energy’s commitment to an inclusive culture is being celebrated this International Women’s Day where the theme is to “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” emphasizing that achieving gender equality in all aspects of life is more crucial than ever. This equality is integral for prosperous economies and a sustainable planet, but there is still a way to go.
According to the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS), female students comprised nearly 60 percent of the students at Polish universities over the last decade, and female professionals in Poland have been a major part of the so-called Core of Human Resources in Science and Technology (HRSTC)1 for several years.
Yet despite the immense opportunities offered by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, women remain underrepresented in these areas – The average share of women in the IT market across Poland is approximately 15.5 percent2. But luckily there are signs of progress and efforts to address this imbalance are yielding positive results. For instance, the Women at Polytechnics 20233 report indicate a two-fold increase in women studying IT-related fields in Poland from 2016 to 2022.
A recent report by Motife found that Hitachi Energy is ranked as one of the top employers for women in IT in Krakow. The share of women in the IT market was the subject of the recent study conducted by Motife, a Krakow-based recruitment and consulting company specializing in the tech industry. Their recent study showed that Krakow has emerged as a significant tech hub in Europe over the past decade. Their Krakow IT Market Map4 provided valuable insights into the gender composition of the IT workforce in Krakow and shed light on the efforts to promote gender diversity within the industry.
“We believe that diversity and innovation equal great innovation. For example, women tend to see many nuances while developing products, designing customer experiences and while collaborating with them. That’s why gender-diverse IT teams foster synergy of competencies and achieve exceptional results,” says Krystyna Pietrzykowska, Head of Technology Center in Krakow, Hitachi Energy. “At Hitachi Energy, we’re committed to creating an environment where everyone can lead and thrive, helping all employees navigate their careers and their professional development. Creating a conducive environment where women thrive is central to our work in advancing a sustainable energy future for all.”
As part of its Diversity 360 strategy, the company has, over the years, strived to ensure that its efforts to bridge the gender gap extend beyond employment statistics and embody a holistic approach to diversity and inclusion. With a clear target to enhance female leadership representation from 19 percent to 25 percent by 2025, and through initiatives like the Female Talent Development Program and the Global Women's Network, Hitachi Energy supports women's professional growth and encourages their ascension to leadership roles. As discussions surrounding the gender gap continue to gain traction, the company acts toward a more inclusive IT sector in Poland, in line with its philosophy that diversity of thought and collaboration lead to great innovations.
