Young women are receiving less career support

Youth Employment UK launched the results of its national Youth Voice Census, accessing the experiences of 1500 14-24-year-olds as they transition between education and employment. Through this study, it was discovered that young women are 20% less likely to have ever received experiences like CV workshops and visits to university in comparison to young men. In addition to this, 75% of young women have never had the option of starting their own business discussed with them.

Through this report it was also revealed that young men are statistically more confident that they know the skills employers are looking for (54%) in comparison to young women (38%) Their key findings of this inaugural Youth Voice Census provided statistics that young women are not accessing the same opportunities as young men whilst at school or college.

Laura-Jane Rawlings, Chief Executive of Youth Employment UK commented on this new tool, saying: “Youth Employment UK are delighted to launch the first Youth Voice Census. We have long been passionate about ensuring the voices of young people are heard and allowing young people to share their experiences through this census has led to some uncomfortable truths. As a society, we still have a long way to go. Despite recent progress, not all young people are getting the information they need to help guide and support their future and specifically young women are being disadvantaged.”

The Youth Voice Census will become a regular benchmarking tool released annually, this will act as a check up on the activities in terms of career development that young people are having, and how the support they are receiving is helping them to progress and fulfil their potential.

Laura went on to say “There is a lot of change in the education, training and employment space so we must ensure that key information and support is reaching all young people and their influencers. As our Youth Voice Census is an annual survey, we will be able to measure the positive or negative impact policy and society is having on our young people and ensure that their voices continue to be heard.”

It is clear that this benchmarking tool has highlighted surprising differences and experiences based on gender. Which will be imperative to these young people progressing in their future careers. And given the recent conversations relating to the gender pay gap, these results are a further warning sign that if there are not instant changes to be made and women continue to receive less support related to careers, then this may take a toll on them later on in their lives reducing their aspiration to be in the same roles as men, leading to gender inequality remaining a constant challenge.

Claudia Harris, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Too often public discourse is dominated by politicians, businesses and commentators telling us what young people need to do to get ahead in the modern workplace. But the voice of young people is often missing and that’s why the Youth Voice Census is so valuable. “By championing the voices of young people – in particular, young women and girls – this report provides us with a wake-up call. It builds on what we found previously – that young people can make gender-conservative choices and that good careers support and role modelling is essential to ensure equality of opportunity.”

Although in recent times, schools, colleges, and career experts have contributed to a real progress in recent years, there is still some way to go, to make sure that all young people are receiving as much support as they can on their journey.

Download the full Youth Employment UK Youth Voice Census Report here 

Louron Pratt