Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to equalise the gender balance in the take-up of STEM apprenticeships.

We know that there are disparities in gender representation in apprenticeships in some sectors such as Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, and we want to address these disparities through a range of activities. It is important to note that women accounted for 53.4 per cent of apprenticeship starts in 2016/17.

Through the Year of Engineering 2018 and the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network we are championing gender representation in apprenticeships amongst employers in industries where improvement is needed - including making sure more women access science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) apprenticeships. We have made it easier for part-time workers to undertake apprenticeships, such as those with caring responsibilities and lone parents.

With regard to careers advice we are working with employers to make sure the decisions girls make about their future education and career choices are well informed. We are undertaking work to assess the breadth and effectiveness of current careers provision in schools and colleges on STEM, and evaluating approaches to careers provision to encourage girls to consider jobs in STEM industries.