Partner Research
The Mid-Career Exodus, April 2025, Akamai in partnership with Career Returners and Women in Cybersecurity
Why women leave tech – and what it would take to bring them back. A study of 1,500 women across the UK.
- 87% of women leave the sector within a decade
- Three-quarters of women felt their advancement opportunities were limited, leading them to pivot to other sectors
- Nearly 4 in 10 women who have left tech said they would consider returning under the right conditions.
- This is a talent pool that is still open to the sector, provided the sector is willing to change.
Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), July 2024 (in conjunction with our co-written Career Returners Guidance)
In a UK survey carried out by the REC, ‘recent experience within the last 12 months’ was ranked as one of the top two priority factors for recruiters across the UK, when screening a candidate for a position – more important than length of experience and relevant skills.
In the Midlands and London, ‘recent experience’ was rated the top priority factor by the highest number of respondents. 31% of small recruitment business (less than 50 employees) also said that ‘recent experience’ was their top priority.
Women Returners Research (2016 by PwC in conjunction with Women Returners and 30% Club)
- 550,000 professional women in UK are on extended career breaks for caring reasons
- 75% want to return to work at some point
- An estimated 2/3 are working below their potential when they return
- Addressing this career break penalty could increase annual earnings by £1.1bn with an overall impact on the economy of £1.7bn
