Breaking 'jobs for the boys' culture key to pay equality

Tackling occupational segregation – opening up male-dominated industries to women – is the key to closing the gender pay gap which currently stands at 19.5%, according to the trade department.

Trade secretary Patricia Hewitt has today announced plans designed to end the 'jobs for the boys' culture and give women better job opportunities in industries such as engineering and manufacturing.

Government research has shown that over 60% of all working women are concentrated in just 10 occupations which typically pay the least. Although women make up 49% of the workforce, they make up less than 10% and just 1% of employees in engineering and construction occupations respectively.

The new drive will focus on helping women who want to work in male dominated sectors like IT, construction, engineering and science. It calls for careers advisors, a rise in the number of female entrepreneurs, and funding for universities to help female science and engineering graduates find jobs in those industries.

Ms Hewitt said: "It's not government's job to dictate employment options to people, but we must give women more choice if we are to address the chronic pay gap.

"Career sexism limits opportunities for women of all ages and prevents them from achieving their full potential. It is simply wrong to assume someone cannot do a job on the grounds of their sex.

She added: "There are many women who want to get into science or manufacturing jobs, but are put off by the macho, male-dominated image and the misconception that a woman simply couldn't do the job.

"Getting rid of career sexism is vital to closing the pay gap and I have asked our Women and Work Commission (WWC) to come up with further proposals."

The DTI has said that it will put £80,000 of funding into an Equal Pay Experts Panel to focus on the gender pay gap issue.

(gmcg/sp)