- Conference
- 2015 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 15 October 2014
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the much lower number of women that become apprentices in areas such as engineering, construction and information technology
Female apprentices are more likely to end up in low paid jobs. So whilst there are apprenticeships available for women, female dominated areas tend to offer lower wages and less chance of career progression.
According to a TUC report the amount of women doing low skilled work has tripled over the last 20 years, even though young women are better qualified than young men. Research shows that of all apprentice starts in 2011/12 , the uptake by women is 83% in healthcare, 91% in childcare, 93% in hairdressing whilst only 2% in construction, 3% in engineering and 10% in Information Technology.
The report also stated unions, employers and government must work together to provide better careers advice in schools for young women.
Conference requests the National Women’s Committee to work to promote wider access for women to apprenticeships in areas where they are underrepresented, which could lead to access to better paid jobs and close the gender pay gap.