Free to choose: Tackling gender barriers to better jobs One year on progress report – EOC’s Investigation into training and workplace segregation of women and men March 2006

This is a small, though rigorous study that captures the perspectives of women who have succeeded in entering training or employment in the non-traditional sectors of plumbing, construction, engineering and information and communications technology (ICT). They are therefore, the exception in the context of a highly segregated labour market. These women provide valuable information on occupational segregation and gender from an 'insider' perspective.

This report presents findings from a study of gender segregation in apprenticeships in England. The study forms part of a programme of research undertaken for the EOC’s investigation into gender segregation in five sectors: construction; engineering; plumbing; information technology; and childcare.

Daring to be different – Diversity in training and work, Manchester United Conference Centre Friday 18th March 2005. The concentration of women and men, individuals from ethnic minority groups and disabled people in different kinds of training and work is a key issue for Government, employers and individuals. It is damaging the UK’s economy by contributing to skills shortages and the gender pay gap.

The childcare sector employs an estimated 275,000 paid staff across a wide range of settings, including day nurseries, playgroups and after-school care. Not only is it a large employer, it enables women with children to participate in the labour market and is therefore important to the achievement of gender equality. The childcare workforce has been a key area for Government employment policy in recent years, with particular emphasis given to recruitment of new workers into the sector. Yet, all sources of data on the childcare workforce show men at around 2 or 3 per cent.

Gender stereotyping continues to be strongly evident in young people’s occupational choices, with negative consequences in terms of sector skill shortages, inequality of opportunity, and inequality of work conditions and rewards. Work experience has a potentially important role in disrupting such trends by providing young people with broader, diverse and/or non-gender traditional experiences and ideas about the adult workplace. Yet, evidence has suggested that uptake of work experience placements reflects and potentially perpetuates gender stereotyping.

Occupational Segregation in Scotland - the problem. In 2003 the Equal Opportunities Commission launched a formal investigation into occupational segregation. The investigation focussed on the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme.

This research focuses on apprenticeships. Previously called Modern Apprenticeships (MAs), these are currently the main vocational training route into work for young people in Britain. The aim of the research was to investigate what the National Learning and Skills Council (NLSC) and its local arms (LLSCs) have done within the 'investigation sectors' to address gender segregation in MAs. A further aim was to consider the actions taken by partner organisations that work with LLSCs, such as training providers, employers, the Connexions service, Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and the Education Business Partnerships (EBPs).

This investigation reveals that young people – particularly girls – are not being given the type of careers advice, work-experience placements and training opportunities that would give them true freedom to fulfil their ambitions and potential, and gain access to occupations that attract higher pay. Instead, too many are being channelled into jobs traditional to their sex.

Plugging Britain’s skills gap: challenging gender segregation in training and work Report of phase one of the EOC’s investigation into gender segregation and Modern Apprenticeships May 2004

Occupational segregation, gender gaps and skill gaps May 2004

This research was commissioned by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), in collaboration with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and Joint Intervention Partners (JIVE), to investigate the extent to which Pathfinder Projects were challenging inequalities and stereotypes affecting young people’s choices and monitoring the outcomes for individuals or groups, with particular reference to gender, ethnicity, disability, those who are looked after, the gifted and talented and those who are underachieving.

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is in the midst of a major investigation into the participation of ethnic minority women in the labour market and their experience with pay, and progression to higher salary levels. Ethnic minority women are being asked to take part in an online survey, and information is also being gathered from unions, voluntary organisations, professional networks, businesses, and public bodies. Details of the Moving on up? project are available on the EOC web site.