Job problems for girls

Press, 7 May 1980, Page 12

Job problems for girls

Many girls leaving school do not have the qualifications needed to get a job these days. This is' concerning the NationalAdvisory Committee on Women and Education. 'Committee members recently met the Minister of Education, Mr Welling-

ton. They discussed initiatives now being taken by the Government to better prepare students for future employemnt, and to. identify school-related causes of the ; difficulties which girls have in getting satisfying and productive jobs after' they leave school. ■ > ■ N.A.C.W.E. supports the Department of.. pilot programme to improve the quality of careers’ education and vocational advice,'says the chairperson, Judith Aitken. “Recent. research, carried Out- - in Hamilton, shows . that . , guidance officers differentiate between boys” - and. girls in the vocational advice they give. They often fail to

indicate the same range of options to female inquirers as they .offer to males,” Ms Aitken says'; •. ‘ “N.A.C.W.E. , believes that this discrimination, has serious consequences’ for girls, and reduces their chances of obtaining stable work at a time of chronic unemployemnt." Although more girls were taking subjects like mathematics, science.. and technical studies to a senior school level, many female school-leavers were poorly equipped to enter the workforce.