At Avanade Australia, we believe that technology should be designed for everyone. To achieve this, we need a diverse and inclusive workforce that can shape our designs, confidently voice any concerns, and create better solutions for everyone – no matter how they engage with technology or what their background is.

We do what matters
Avanade’s tagline is ‘Do What Matters’ and it’s a mantra we all live by.

When it comes to new technologies and creating solutions to suit all, we know that diversity is key to ensuring unbiased and ethical technology development. Consider generative AI as an example. The diversity of inputs makes the product more accurate. It reduces the likelihood of unconscious bias creeping through, and by learning from lived experiences, the outputs are more robust.

Turning our collective minds to the idea of diversity and inclusion, Avanade has made real and tangible advances when it comes to gender equity and creating a workplace where a wide range of voices are heard and acknowledged. But, while we have achieved gender equity year-on-year for the past six years, we know that the tech industry as a whole is another story. In Australia, women make up only 18-28% of the technology workforce.

We want to increase this percentage, and the best way we know how is to engage with girls and young women when they are in the formative stages of their career planning – when they are at primary school, high school and university.

Avanade’s STEM Education Program addresses this tech diversity gap by:

Cultivating a love of STEM from a young age: We spark curiosity and ignite a passion for STEM through initiatives like Hour of Code and Hour of Sustainability, engaging primary school students in interactive learning experiences.

Empowering girls in STEM: We address the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields with programs like Big Day In and Go Girl events. These initiatives provide female students with role models, mentorship, and valuable learning experiences.

Investing in the future: University partnerships, like the one with Swinburne University of Technology, allow us to connect with future leaders in the STEM landscape. Scholarships, internships, and participation in events like the FUEL Conference and Hackathon equip students with the skills and real-world experience they need to thrive in their chosen careers.

And our dedication has paid off. These and other initiatives have engaged more than 7,000 students, fostering a love of STEM education across generations. In this way, Avanade is not only building a diverse and inclusive workforce for the future, but also contributing to a more innovative and technologically advanced society.

Diversity and Inclusion at Avanade
Diversity and inclusion are part of everything we do at Avanade. From the way we treat people, to how we make decisions, and the solutions we take to market. Our aim is to create an inclusive culture so everyone can be their authentic selves at work.

Avanade is proud to have been named as a finalist in the STEM category of the TechDiversity awards. For more details about Avanade’s Diversity and Inclusion program visit the Avanade website.