PARENTS in the North-East are more likely to advise boys to take on an apprenticeship compared to girls.

New research from British Gas has revealed that 30 per cent of parents would encourage their son to take on an apprenticeship while only 20 per cent of parents would give the same advice to their daughter.

Parents’ views have a big impact on the career choices young people make. When asked about what career their parents would like them to pursue, just over a quarter of teenage boys in the North-East said an apprenticeship; only seven per cent of teenage girls reported the same.

In an independent national survey* polling teens and parents, 50 per cent of parents surveyed admitted offering their children differing career advice depending on their gender.

Only 13 per cent of teenage girls view an apprenticeship as a viable career option - almost half the number of boys who are keen to go straight from school into an apprenticeship scheme.

The survey is published today at the start of National Apprenticeship Week which celebrates the positive impact workplace training has on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Claire Miles, managing director for service and repair at British Gas, commented: “It’s clear from this research that apprenticeships are still regarded as something of a man’s world among young people. That’s behind the times. Despite the rising popularity of apprenticeships, we’re disappointed that more girls aren’t benefitting from this career option.

“Apprenticeships are a great way into an organisation. A British Gas apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn and encourages you to develop skills for life. I’d encourage all girls thinking about their future career, or looking for employment, to consider an apprenticeship.”

24-year old Stephanie Walker from Newcastle never planned to pursue a career in engineering. Passionate about sport, she studied for a sports degree at university, but one month in, she realised that the course just wasn’t for her.

“Many of my friends were heading off to university and it just seemed like a natural next step, but it turned out higher education wasn’t what I really wanted – it was a career.”

After leaving university, She talked through her options with family and friends, but little did she know that this would lead her to what would become her dream job.

“I talked to my grandmother’s partner, who had been working as an engineer for British Gas for 40 years. He said great things about the job and really encouraged me to sign up to the apprenticeship scheme, because he knew that I was looking for a ‘hands on’ career.

“I signed up to the scheme right away and I’ve never looked back. I absolutely love my job and meeting new customers every day is really rewarding. No day is ever the same, so it never gets boring.”

Despite being one of the few females working in engineering, Stephanie says this doesn’t bother her at all.

“Working in a male dominated role is absolutely fine. I was slightly nervous at first and worried that I wouldn’t be accepted, but that wasn’t the case. All of my colleagues, male and female, have a really good attitude to their work and they aren’t concerned with what gender I am.

“I would definitely encourage anybody interested to join the British Gas apprenticeship scheme. As long as you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you’re going to enjoy it. The course teaches you technical skills and theory, but you also get to do lots of practical and you can even go out on jobs with another engineer whilst you’re learning, to gain customer experience.”

Once finished her apprenticeship, she will have gained an NVQ Level 2 in Engineering Service and Repair, and she has big plans for her future with British Gas.

“My British Gas apprenticeship can give me a career for life, and I definitely see myself working for the company for a long time. I’d love to work my way up to become a manager one day and help train other people to get into the profession.  I’m really looking forward to my future.”

*The survey was conducted among 1,500 parents and 2,000 teens aged 15-22.