A computer class aimed at girls has been launched in Canada in a bid to counter the traditionally make and 'geeky' image of the IT sector.

This is according to the Globe and Mail, which reveals computer science teacher Dan Harmer of Cardinal Leger Secondary School in Ontario decided to start the initiative in order to attract more female entrants to the field.

In the article, education reporter Kate Hammer explains the program at the Brampton institution has seen the single-sex environment prove successful, with girls appreciating the intimidation factor of working alongside boys being removed.

She adds women currently fill less than 25 per cent of those working in IT jobs in Canada, while a recent study from the Information and Communication Technology Council warned every province of the country is currently facing a talent gap in the field of around 89,000 individuals over the coming three to five years.

Figures published by Statistics Canada recently showed a 15,000 climb in employment in November 2010, pushing the proportion of people out of work down by 0.3 percentage points to 7.6 per cent during the month.

Posted by Fiona Summers