Brussels, 03/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - With a shortfall of around 300,000 qualified engineers predicted for 2010 in the European Union, reality shows that fewer than one ICT technician out of five is a woman. In order to encourage a female presence in the new technologies of information and communication (ICT) and to ensure the ICT sector prospers in Europe, the European Commission gave its support, on Tuesday 3 March, to an agreement signed by five major companies, in the aim of attracting young women into the scientific professions and encouraging women already in the sector to remain there. “I congratulate those companies that today have the courage and conviction to commit to this code, that will enrich the ICT sector by making it more female-friendly”, said Viviane Reding, Information Society Commissioner. Alcatel-Lucent, Imec, Orange-France Telecom Group, Microsoft and Motorola have thus undertaken to abide by a code of best practice in order to make technical jobs more attractive to women and to make better use of and promote female potential in the ICT sector. This includes the creation of girls labs or computer clubs for girls, mentoring programmes during maternity leave, practical help in balancing family and work life, women's ICT forums and networks offering support on job searches, advice and mentoring; and setting targets for the recruitment and promotion of female ICT professionals at all levels. Commissioner Reding welcomed the commitment taken by companies signing the code, saying: “Today only 7% of board members in the 116 major ICT companies are women. Therefore, let's set ourselves a target to double this by 2015”. (I.L./transl.jl)