This is an action-research project aimed at encouraging women to attend technical-scientific training courses and at facilitating the entry of women into ICT professions through the provision of counselling services. The objectives are therefore (i) to identify the factors that, taking account of the specific nature of the ICT sector, either help or hinder female careers and (ii) design and trial a model for the provision of counselling and accompaniment to women in scientific-technology work settings.

The project divides into three phases:

• research: analysis of already-existing data on ICT workers in the province of Trento; collection of data and information on the predominant models of educational and vocational counselling; a survey of the professional careers of men and women working in the ICT sector; analysis of training and professional paths with particular regard to gender dynamics;
• design: creation of focus groups to share results with key informants on training, the labour market and the ICT sector; design of a training programme for young women interested in working in the ICT sector;
• implementation: activation of a telementoring training course based on the research results, the direct testimonies of workers in the ICT sector, and in particular the experiences of the researchers who carried out the fieldwork.

Researchers: Silvia Gherardi (coordinator), Barbara Poggio (referent), Michela Cozza
Period: 2003-2005
Funding: European Social Fund - Autonomous Province of Trento