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This paper is based on research conducted as part of the Equal Opportunities Commission’s General Formal Investigation into gender segregation in the United Kingdom labour market. The project comprised a survey of and focus groups with 14/15 year-olds in eight English schools in spring 2004 and a survey of 15/16 year-olds in four Welsh schools in autumn 2004. The survey explored the process of young people’s career decision-making, their attitudes to career choice and whether apprenticeship was seen as an option. Experiences and perceptions of respondents suggest that decisions about their future career options are based in part on risk avoidance strategies but also on a willingness to take risks where it will advance an individual’s interests. By utilising Beck’s concept of risk, the authors reveal the dilemmas which young people face as they consider their post-school futures. The data show that boys are less likely than girls to opt for a job traditionally held by the opposite sex. In addition, the paper examines the implications of the finding that access to and the quality of careers information and guidance remain very varied.

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Purpose - Gender segregation has been a persistent feature of apprenticeship programmes in countries around the world. In the UK, the Modern Apprenticeship was launched ten years ago as the government's flagship initiative for training new entrants in a range of occupational sectors. One of its priorities was to increase male and female participation in 'non-traditional' occupations, that is, those normally practised by just one sex. However, recent figures show that the programme has failed to achieve its aim and this has prompted an investigation by the Equal Opportunities Commission. This paper aims to report the research as part of this investigation. Design/methodology/approach - This paper presents quantitative and qualitative evidence on the attitudes of young people (aged 14 and 15) and employers to non-traditional occupational choices. It also explores the factors affecting the decisions of young people to train in a non-traditional occupation and the recruitment decisions of employers from 'traditional sectors', such as engineering, the construction trades and child care. Findings - The research provides evidence of the deeply entrenched nature of occupational stereotypes and the psychological and social barriers that have to be overcome if a more evenly balanced workforce is to be created. It also reveals that none of the institutions and organisations which act as gatekeepers between young people and employers is, as yet, taking responsibility for challenging their perceptions and decision-making processes. Originality/value - The paper concludes by highlighting the implications of the research findings to stakeholders and suggesting a holistic approach to tackling gender segregation.

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This report presents findings from a study of gender segregation in apprenticeships in England. The study is part of research undertaken for the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) investigation into gender segregation in the construction, engineering, plumbing, information technology (IT), and childcare sectors. The report explores what employers and young people perceive as the barriers and opportunities to pursuing careers in non-traditional occupations. The research was conducted during the first half of 2004 and focused on apprenticeships. The research aimed to: explore how far employers and young people are aware of gender segregation in occupations and whether they believe it to be a problem; identify the costs and benefits to young people of pursuing careers in nontraditional occupations; explore what employers and young people think are the opportunities and barriers to pursuing training and careers in non-traditional occupations; identify what would help employers and young people to make non-stereotypical choices; and provide evidence and information for change in policies and practices. Key findings include: the majority of employers interviewed believed that recruiting more young people of the non-traditional sex into their sectors would help solve skills shortages; 80% of girls and 55% of boys said they would or might be willing to learn to do a non-traditional job; and 81% of girls and 58% of boys said that both males and females could be equally good at plumbing. The findings indicate interest from young people in non-traditional work and from employers in creating a better gender mix than the current situation. Although this suggests an openness to change, the research also reveals a wide range of barriers to widening choices in practice. The report recommends a holistic and co-ordinated approach to policy formation that takes into account the various roles currently played by schools, providers and other organisations. Show less