UKCES

In 1939, British women filled the jobs left by men who were away fighting in the armed forces. By 1945, 6.5 million were in civilian war work including mechanics, engineering, plumbing, ship building, munitions and aircraft parts. But as the war ended and men returned needing jobs, women went back to their so-called 'traditional roles' - where most of them have stayed.

But research published this week by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills reveals that unleashing women's potential in the workplace could add some £23 billion to the economy, helping to beat the recession.

As the Women and Work Sector Pathways initiative announces a further five million pounds of funding to help women in male dominated employment sectors, the research also reveals that two-thirds of women work in just 12 occupational areas – mainly cleaning, catering, clerical, retail and caring  - whilst two-thirds of men work in 26 occupational areas. Men generally work at a higher level in technical, engineering, transport and communications occupations. In fact, only a third of managers and senior officials are women.

This is reflected in wage packets - official statistics show the pay gap between men and women in full-time employment widened over the past year to stand at 17.1%.  For part-timers, the gap increased to more than 36%.

Women are not only paid less, they're also hampered by a lack of prospects in the workplace. Chris Humphries CBE, Chief Executive of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills said: "Removing barriers to employment and progression is always important, and the Women and Work Sector Pathways initiative is designed to do just this. It has already benefited over 10,000 women, training them for a new job or new skills and allowing them to progress into higher level, better paid roles, and a further £5 million will now enable up to 5000 more women to benefit.

"The initiative encourages more women to progress in traditionally male sectors including transport, construction and engineering. We're targeting all types of women – those whose skills are under-utilised, perhaps after returning to work after having children, and those who have the ability to progress to higher level roles within the sector, but who lack skills or confidence. It's very gratifying that research published this week shows the scheme is successful and is really making a difference to the lives of women across the country."

Examples of women who have benefited from the initiative include Virginia Floyd, who has trained as a bus driver in Harrogate and farmer Yvonne Gear from Hertfordshire who has boosted her lamb, mutton and leather business thanks to a website design course funded by the Women & Work initiative.