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Careers advice 'is letting down girls'
Last updated at 00:22am on 14.08.07Sexist careers advice is damaging the job prospects of girls, a survey revealed yesterday.
Only one in five is being encouraged to take up IT, business, engineering or construction, even though salaries are high and there is a shortage of applicants.
Instead, they are steered towards teaching, childcare and hairdressing, according to a review of 300 senior Guides, aged 14 to 26.
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Sexist careers advice is damaging the job prospects of girls
The movement found many of its members feared they had overlooked an interesting vocation because they were given outdated and unhelpful advice.
Sixty per cent were told about teaching and 43 per cent about childcare but only 29 per cent were informed of opportunities to work in IT, 28 per cent business, 21 per cent engineering, 9 per cent construction and 6 per cent plumbing.
The Guides who took part also complained that they received little or no information about potential salaries.
The findings reveal that while girls outperform boys at every level of the education system, they are hitting a glass ceiling when they reach the job market.
"This suggests modern careers advice continues to affirm old-fashioned gender stereotypes," said a Guiding spokesman.
One respondent reported receiving only 20 minutes of careers advice in seven years at secondary school. Another remarked: "I feel that I have been pushed by teachers and career advisers to pursue a traditional female line of work. The opportunity to discuss other options was never presented."
Chief guide Liz Burnley said: "These outdated gender barriers must be broken down so young women can determine their own successful career paths. Our young members are calling for better information, support and guidance about career options so they can make informed decisions about their futures."
The CBI warned recently that the economy is threatened by an acute shortage of scientists, engineers and mathematicians. It found a disproportionate number of girls were dropping science subjects.
Reader views (2)
Areas such as IT have a shortfall in interest as despite the government talking about a skills shortage youngsters can see fathers being thrown on the scrap heap at 40+! I now know two youngsters who have not followed up IT as they want a long-term career NOT a 20 year one!
- Grumpy Old Man, London
Perhaps the situation may change if:
A) The government obsession with achieving targets was reconsidered and more emphasis was placed on giving genuine advice.
B) They reduced the confusing myriad of quangos offering the service with a view to standardising advice.
C) Start delivering regular advice to all students starting from the year preceeding the GCSEs. This could reduce the number of poor degree choices later on and open student minds earlier, to the benefits other careers such as the sciences, construction, can offer.
D) The reinstatement financial assistance to students embarking on science, maths degrees or essential skills based courses like plumbing.
E) Finally, start recruiting more advisers with 'real world' experience who can tell those seeking advice, what it takes to succeed in the commercial world.
- Jeff Thomas, Dagenham, Essex
