GENDER BIASED CAREERS - A THING OF THE PAST Oct 08

Local training provider, Training 2000 has launched a pilot scheme with schools in the Blackburn area, aiming to challenge career stereotypes.

Research shows traditional preconceptions and attitudes towards professions, such as men becoming engineers or women becoming dental nurses, are established with young people from an early age. The scheme aims to eliminate these beliefs by working with children at a younger age before these opinions are formed.

The pilot scheme will follow a group of year 6 pupils at key stages over the next six years, to see if they appear open minded about career choices which appear ‘out of the norm’ and challenge stereotypes.

Sixty 10 and 11 year olds from Holy Trinity School in Darwen visited the Training 2000 site this week to take part in workshops within traditionally male/female industries such as dentistry, engineering and automotive. The aim was to start to introduce professions which may not be traditionally considered and overturn some of the gender stereotypes.

Teacher Mrs Burrows from Holy Trinity commented: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the children, seeing them so focused on the tasks was fantastic. The new scheme is a great idea and hopefully gender biased careers will be a thing of the past.”

Marilyn Pilkington, from the schools team at Training 2000 said: “This scheme aims to challenge the attitudes people have towards certain careers. Many of these professions are under represented due to gender stereotypes that exist. We are hoping to break through this barrier and show that anyone can enter any career regardless of their gender.

For further information please ring 01254 586534 or visit www.training2000.co.uk

GENDER BIASED CAREERS - A THING OF THE PAST Oct 08

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