Apprentice winner backs campaign for disadvantaged women » Communities » 24dash.com

Last year's Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry has launched a charity campaign calling for the Government to do more to help disadvantaged young women work their way up off the bottom rung of the career ladder and out of hardship.

The 27-year-old former check out girl is supporting the YWCA's efforts to draw attention to the thousands of young women in the UK who face a lifetime of poorly paid, low-skilled jobs.

Three-quarters of working women are found in just five types of occupational groups, mostly doing low-paid jobs like caterer, carer, cleaner, cashier or clerical assistant, according to the YWCA.

The charity says a typical woman who left school with no qualifications will lose out on £197,000 in earnings over her lifetime, compared to her male counterpart, even if she has no children.

Research also shows twice as many young women as young men who grew up in poverty were still poor at the age of 30.

Young female apprentices get an average of £40 less a week than young men, a 26% difference.

Launching YWCA's More than One Rung campaign this week, Ms Dewberry said: "I was shocked to learn that women apprentices get £40 less per week than their male counterparts. There is absolutely no reason why this should be the case.

"I strongly believe in equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, race or background."

The charity is urging incoming prime minister Gordon Brown to put the issue of skills and apprenticeships for young people at the top of his agenda.

Sally Copley, director of Policy, Research and Campaigns at YWCA, said: "Without opportunities to develop skills and get on-the-job training, the chances of a girl from a poor background are massively reduced, as are her aspirations and plans for the future.

"Disadvantaged young women need new and improved support to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to get decent jobs and work their way up off the bottom rung of the career ladder.

"Without this support, our research shows we are condemning a generation of women to a lifetime of hardship."

Research carried out by YWCA looking into why so many young women are getting stuck at the bottom of the career ladder found that:

:: Not being listened to and being steered into, rather than choosing jobs which are right for them, is a common problem;

:: Training courses are often determined by what is available not what they want or need;

:: Confidence and self-esteem are a major factor in narrowing their horizons;

:: Community and peer pressure are a strong influence and often stereotypical attitudes encourage young women towards low paid, low skilled jobs;

:: Young women have dreams and aspirations but personal circumstances such as caring responsibilities are holding them back.

The charity aims to secure support for its campaign by running events in Parliament, lobbying MPs and Government ministers, as well as holding national and regional activities for the general public.

Copyright Press Association 2007

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