Greens Call For Gender Balance In Modern Apprenticeships

The Scottish Governments Modern Apprenticeships programme is still reflecting outdated male-female gender imbalances in the work place - according to the Scottish Greens

In certain fields of work; Construction, Automotive and Engineering sectors have under 10% female participation. This is compared to lower paid sectors such as childcare, social care and hairdressing, where women account for more than 80%. 

Analysis by the Scottish Greens shows a gender imbalance in different sectors has not really changed since Green MSP Alison Johnstone raised the issue two years ago, with the proportion of young women doing construction apprenticeships falling from 2% in 2013 to 1.7% today.

Figures for July to September this year show the percentage of women apprentices in key sectors includes:

Automotive: 2% (unchanged from 2013/14)
Construction: 1.7% (a drop from 2%)
Engineering and Energy: 6.1% (a rise of 1.1%)

While in low-paid sectors such as childcare, social care and hairdressing, the percentage of women apprentices is:

Sport, Health and Social Care: 81% (a drop of 5%)
Personal Services: 89.4% (a drop of 1.6%)

Kirsten Robb, Women and Youth Employment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP candidate for Central Scotland, said:

"Earlier this year a Scottish Government report admitted that the Modern Apprenticeship programme was copying what is called 'occupational segregation' resulting in higher wages for male apprentices. Ministers need to pick up the pace and address this imbalance as a priority. We need to see a plan of action including specific efforts to help women access non-traditional courses like engineering and support for experienced women in these sectors to act as ambassadors. We also need flexible and affordable childcare."