You Go Girl! Strategies to encourage girls to enter non-traditional occupations

Programs and initiatives that focus on broadening career options for girls are challenging gender stereotypes and negative perceptions about the experiences of young women in non-traditional occupations.

A report released today by economic Security4Women (eS4W), says programs encouraging girls to seriously consider careers in male dominated occupations will not only have a positive impact on the long-term future of individual women, but also on the Australian economy.

According to the report, Women and Girls into Non-Traditional Occupations and Industries: Broadening Career Options for Secondary School Students, the most successful approaches to broadening career options for girls are:

• Career exploration opportunities for girls and young women to ‘taste’ and experience non-traditional and STEM (science, technology, engineering & maths) occupations prior to and during their senior secondary years of schooling.

• Female role models and mentors from non-traditional occupations and industries that broaden the career expectations of young women.

• Industry-led partnerships that invite and support career exploration by young women, as well as long-term participation in non-traditional careers and industries.

• Promotion of support networks for young women working in non-traditional workplaces.

• Career exploration opportunities early in girls’ schooling that encourage reflection on their skills and interests and explore relevant options in a broad range of occupations, industries and workplaces.

• Partnerships between schools, educational institutions, industries and communities to assist girls and young women into non-traditional study and work placement opportunities.

According to eS4W, young Australian women consistently out perform their male peers in many of the key achievement indicators in secondary schools but are significantly less likely than young men to enter employment in the high income fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This reflects broader, gender-segregated patterns in Australia’s workforce, where in the construction, mining and utilities industries women account for only 12 per cent, 15 per cent and 23 per cent of employees respectively.

eS4W chair, Sandra Cook, said “Our member organisations are committed not just to increased workforce participation by women and girls, but to see them working in careers with skill sets that are highly valued, transportable, flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of industry – all contributing to their lifelong economic security.”

eS4W, one of six National Women’s Alliances that receive funding from the Australian Government, is concerned about the impact of gender segregation in the labour force on women’s lifetime earnings. One of the ways eS4W is working towards improving women’s economic security in Australia, is by increasing female participation in non-traditional occupations and industries where incomes are higher.