Irish Medtech’s business networks, First Polymer Training Skillnet (FPTS), Irish Medtech Skillnet (IMS) and Connected Health Skillnet (CHS) are delighted to present this report which explores female participation in technical and leadership roles in the health technology industry as well as key actions that industry, academia and the networks can take to support companies in achieving better gender parity while also developing more diverse talent pipelines. By understanding the barriers and enablers better, the Skillnet business networks can support and empower companies to overcome challenges through training and sharing of best practice across the health technology sector.
Recommendations
The report and its recommendations provide a resource for all stakeholders, including business leaders and educators, to continue and increase efforts to foster a more balanced representation of gender within the health technology ecosystem.
Key Insights from the Report:
- Pipeline Challenges: Girls in Ireland continue to opt out of STEM subjects at an early stage, with only 29% of girls choosing a STEM subject beyond maths or science in secondary school.
- Career Progression: Despite earning STEM degrees, women often face barriers to career progression, with leadership representation significantly lagging behind male counterparts.
- Workplace Realities: Industry respondents cited lack of flexible work options, unconscious bias, and limited mentorship opportunities as key obstacles preventing women from advancing in health technology careers.
- Recruitment & Retention: Over 40% of surveyed companies lack formal gender equity strategies, highlighting an urgent need for industry-wide action.
The Connected Health Skillnet (CHS) is an industry-led, learning and development network that addresses the skills needs arising from the convergence of the medtech, biopharma, and technology sectors in the field of digital health. The Skillnet collaborates Irish Medtech, BioPharmachem Ireland and industry to deliver expert-led training and cross-sectoral knowledge sharing events focussed on digital health, to help facilitate collaboration and innovation between sectors.
First Polymer Training Skillnet (FPTS) operates as a training network for the Irish Polymer Industry and is co-funded under the government’s Skillnet Ireland initiative. Our aim is to deliver world-class talent development solutions to meet the specific needs of our industry. FPT offers a range of scheduled online, hybrid and in-person training programmes and can also develop bespoke in-house programmes to meet your company’s specific needs.
Irish Medtech Skillnet (IMS) is an industry-led learning network dedicated to supporting the skills needs of Ireland’s medical technology sector. We work in partnership with Skillnet Ireland and our contracting organisation, Irish Medtech (an Ibec sector), to deliver high-impact training solutions shaped by industry, for industry. Irish Medtech Skillnet offers a range of targeted programmes designed to build talent, foster innovation, and support the growth and competitiveness of companies in this dynamic sector.