WORKING in the tech sector is "not just a boy's job", Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said as she announced cash for new hubs aimed at helping create the next generation of businesses.
The Scottish Government will provide £4 million to set up five technology hubs, which will support the next generation of Scottish start-ups.
It comes after a review of how the tech sector can help with the country's economic recovery was carried out by former Skyscanner chief operating officer Mark Logan.
Forbes said that the industry is going to be "so critical to our economic recovery" following the coronavirus lockdown.
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Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme she said: "We know that tech is going to be one of the fast growing sectors in Scotland, it has got the potential to create thousands of jobs and power the economy."
Work is now needed to "enthuse" young people about future careers in the industry, Forbes added.
She stressed the importance of "extra-curricular support to enthuse young people and inspire them, to recognise it is not just a boy's job, that there is a rebalancing of the gender difference".
The Finance Secretary spoke out ahead of a visit to the CodeBase technology incubator in Edinburgh today.
And she told how the Scottish Government investment in infrastructure will establish the new hubs, to give entrepreneurs world-class training and mentoring alongside the chance to network and share ideas.
The hubs will be known as tech scalers and will be tasked with supporting at least 300 start-ups by 2025.
Forbes said: "I'm pleased to announce this initial investment in tech scalers, the central recommendation from Mark Logan's groundbreaking review of our technology sector.
"These hubs will transform the quality and intensity of support available to Scottish start-ups, delivering world-class education to tech entrepreneurs, helping this vital sector to grow and create jobs.
"They will also offer the chance to network and share ideas, helping the sector to grow and laying the groundwork for Scotland's digital future."
She added: "The potential here is to see hundreds of start-ups.
"The point here is the greater volume of start-ups you have ultimately the more successful businesses you have.
"We want to see that high level of growth from start-ups through to highly successful, viable international companies, and that is where the jobs are created."
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