WOMEN NEED BETTER CAREERS ADVICE
(19 January 2006)

New research for the Mayor of London has found that young women in London are being let down by the careers advice they are receiving. This often means that women have not studied the subjects, which make them eligible to be even considered for a wide range of jobs. By 2016, around 558,000 new jobs will be created in London, predominantly in areas of business and finance. The five identified growth sectors are Business Services, Health and Education, Retail, Financial services, Hotels and Restaurants

Statistics show that only a small proportion of people who take subjects at A Level and degree courses in many of the subject areas that employers in the five largest growth sectors seek are women. Last year less than 4 percent of applications accepted onto courses in Mathematics and Computer Science at London Universities were from women, compared to almost 14 percent from men.

The report, containing new research from GLA Economics as well as case studies found businesses as well as young women themselves felt that they were receiving inadequate advice and work experience. Although this also applied to young men, there is disproportionately a greater impact on young women, leading them to make decisions which ultimately closed-off most high earning jobs.

Gender segregation and subject choice in schools and college were also seen, as a factor. Which points to the need for clear and positive intervention in women’s career advice at a much younger age than is often happening at present.

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said: ‘London’s economy is already critically dependant on the contribution of women. It is projected that over the next decade they will take 7 out of 10 of the new jobs. This presents a major opportunity for women to access well paid and varied career options, and for employers to use all the skills women have to offer.

‘To ensure that women are fully represented at all levels and all sectors of the London’s job market, we must equip women and re-train them if necessary so that they are able to compete for these new jobs. That is why it is necessary for the Learning and Skills Councils in London to become a new training and skills agency for the capital, with strong leadership and accountability, to focus on London’s specific training needs.’

Commenting on the findings, Rebecca George OBE, Director UK Government Business, IBM said: 'Girls make value based decisions about the sorts of careers they want by the time they are 14. So if they are to choose IT they need exposure to some good role models; they need to know IT is an exciting, challenging and interesting career option; and they need to know early. Government, schools, colleges and employers all need to work together on this over a sustained period of time.'

Lucy Adams Group Director of Human Resources, Serco said: ‘We all have a role to play in overturning gender stereotyping in career choice. Parents can maintain an open mind about their daughters’ careers options, and make sure that their teenage sons don’t hog the home computer! Employers can offer female mentors and work placements to girls in traditionally male dominated roles. Schools can ensure that their careers guidance isn’t inadvertently perpetuating old norms.’

Frances O’Grady, Deputy General Secretary Trades Union Congress said: ‘There is a real risk that women will find themselves shut out from the best job opportunities unless old-fashioned sexism and occupational segregation are tackled. Women need good advice, genuine choice in education and training, and strong unions to win equal pay and fairness at work.’