Do young people think that apprenticeships are for boys? We take a look at girls in apprenticeships. What apprenticeships are they doing and which are they not?A research paper issued by Unionlearn with the TUC on Under-representation by gender and race in Apprenticeships indicates that “gender differences in Apprenticeship sectors may be reflective of segregation in the broader labour market”, which basically means that although there is very little difference in the number of males and females taking up apprenticeships, the sectors that they work in vary greatly, with females being under-represented in sectors like engineering and males being under-represented in sectors such as the children’s and young people’s workforce.Why is this?The Women’s Business Council has stated that “The choices young women make about education and careers are shaped by the interplay between cultural messages, peer and parental pressures, people they meet from the world of work and their individual self-determination. Stereotypes about ‘men’s work’ and ‘women’s work’ are a strong influence even at primary school and by GCSE level gendered career ambitions are clearly evident.”What needs to be done?UnionLearn has recommended that schools should promote apprenticeships as an option for all and challenge traditional gender stereotyping from an early stage;
There should be more targeted support and careers guidance for young women from school age upwards;
There should be more taster courses and work experience for young people before they decide on their chosen apprenticeship; and
There should be more visits for young women to male-dominated workplaces.
There is absolutely no reason why as a female you shouldn’t be considering a career in a STEM subject like engineering or in construction. Don’t miss out on a financially rewarding career option because of stereotyping.
Percentages of apprentices by gender 2002 - 2016
02/03
03/04
04/05
05/06
06/07
07/08
08/09
09/10
10/11
11/12
12/13
13/14
14/15
15/16
Female
49.6%
48.2%
46.4%
47.2%
45.8%
47.4%
49.7%
49.6%
53.8%
53.1%
54.7%
52.9%
53.0%
52.8%
Male
50.4%
51.8%
53.6%
52.8%
54.2%
52.6%
50.3%
50.4%
46.2%
46.9%
45.3%
47.1%
47.0%
47.2%
What apprenticeships are girls doing?In 2014/15 100% of apprentices for the following apprenticeship frameworks were girls
Bookkeeping
Floristry
Nursing Assistants in a Veterinary Environment
Spa Therapy
Over 80% of all apprentices on the following apprenticeship frameworks were girls
Learning Support
80%
Equine Industry
81%
Care Leadership and Management
83%
Human Resource Management
83%
Health and Social Care
84%
Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
86%
Travel Services
86%
Health (Assistant Practitioner)
87%
Hairdressing
91%
Children's Care Learning and Development
93%
Nail Services
95%
Veterinary Nursing
95%
Dental Nursing
97%
Beauty Therapy
99%
Which apprenticeships are girls not doing?Under 10% of all apprentices on the following frameworks in 2014/15 were female
Glass Industry Occupations
1%
Public Services
1%
Electrotechnical
1%
Vehicle Body and Paint Operations
1%
Rail Transport Engineering
2%
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
2%
MES Plumbing
2%
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
2%
Gas Industry
2%
Construction Skills
2%
Rail Infrastructure Engineering
3%
Vehicle Fitting
3%
Engineering
3%
Land-based Service Engineering
3%
Trees and Timber
4%
Sustainable Resource Management
5%
Smart Meter Installations (Dual Fuel)
5%
Driving Goods Vehicles
5%
Horticulture
6%
Engineering Construction
7%
Furniture Furnishings and Interiors Industry
7%
Providing Security Services
7%
Engineering Technology
7%
Signmaking
8%
Building Services Engineering Technicians
8%
Vehicle Parts Operations
9%
According to the official government data sets there were no female apprentices on the following frameworks in 2014/15
Advanced Diagnostics and Management Principles
Broadcast Production
Building Energy Management Systems
Composite Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Servicing
Emergency Fire Service Operations
Explosives Storage and Maintenance
Extractive and Mineral Processing Occupations
Farriery
Fencing
Game and Wildlife Management
Information Security
Locksmithing
Marine Industry
Metal Processing and Allied Operations
Mineral Products Technology
Multi-skilled Vehicle Collision Repair
Polymer Processing and Signmaking
Power Industry
Rail Engineering Overhead Line Construction
Rail Traction and Rolling Stock Engineering
Specialized Process Operations (Nuclear)
Transport Engineering and Maintenance
Vehicle Restoration
Water Industry
Wood and Timber Processing and Merchants Industry
Electrical /Electronic Technical Support Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Network Engineer
Power Network Craftsperson
