Researchers are to investigate business sectors clearly detrmined by gender lines in order to understand the reasons behind the skills gap.
The study, to be published in November, will involve employees within the plumbing, engineering, construction, ICT and childcare sectors and is spearheaded by the Equal Opportunities Commision.
Responses will help to shape the EOC’s recommendations for change when it publishes its final report in the autumn.
Analysts believe that the findings will point towards a link between the serious skills shortage within some sectors and the number of female employee’s working within those sectors.
Catherine Evans, a spokesperson for the EOC, said, “I think that the results may show that this a bigger problem than people think.
A better understanding of this may help Britains economy in areas where skills are needed.”
This was the outcome of a recent EOC report, Plugging Britain’s Skills Gap, which found a direct link between the segregation of the sexes and the skills shortage, concluding that urgent action was required.
One suggested reason for the skill’s gap in these sectors is the lack of attention they receive at secondary school level.
Evans said, “Young people in general are just not given any advice about these jobs at school. I have spoken to young people who have said that roles such as child care simply weren’t mentioned to them.”
Click here to be sent to the EOC web-site where the questionnaire is available. The deadline for completed surveys is Friday 27 August.
