Gender Gap in UK – Women are significantly less likely to receive any employer training compared to men

• Women are significantly less likely to receive any employer training compared to men 
• Men are more likely than women to receive a pay rise following training
• Women are given generic training, while companies pay for men to become better leaders
• Young men earn 21% more than young women on an Apprenticeship

In a survey to mark Equal Pay Day* today, NIACE and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) have launched research revealing some shocking findings about the differences between the training supplied to men and women within the workplace.

The research, which comprised of face-to-face interviews with a total of 6,217 UK adults, found that women are losing out when it comes to workplace training. Women (31%) were significantly more likely than men (26%) to have received no employer arranged training at all in the previous 12 months.

The outcomes of workplace training for men and women also differ. Financially, men benefit more than women; the research shows they were significantly more likely to have received a pay rise as a result of their training (16% compared to 11%).

Meanwhile, the type of training given to men and women also differs, with men more likely to be given training to enable them to become better leaders and managers. Women were significantly more likely than men to have received equality and diversity training (39% of women; 24% of men) and health and safety training (61% of women; 52% of men), whereas men were more likely to have received supervisory training (17% of men; 12% of women).

Dr Fiona Aldridge, Assistant Director for Development and Research at NIACE, said:

“The differences we have found between training provision for men and women reflect wider issues within the workplace when it comes to gender inequality. At present the gender pay gap in the UK is 19.1%, compared with an EU average of 16.4%. Advancements in flexible working have helped to ensure that there are now a record number of women in work, but this flexibility is often accompanied by a hidden pay penalty: the hourly pay difference between full-time and part-time workers is currently 25%. Women are also much more likely than men to work part-time (44% and 13% respectively) and to be found in low paid sectors such as retail, hospitality and social care .

“These shocking results show that we need a real policy conversation about this issue to ensure that women earn a fair wage for their work, and have equal opportunities to access the labour market. It is clear, that unless we effectively address inequalities in access to learning, training and development opportunities for work, then we will only succeed in further hardwiring inequalities into the labour market, rather than providing opportunities for progression and a pathway out of low pay for all.

“To tackle this issue we have demonstrated how NIACE proposals to support people into learning and work would particularly support women, and close the gender pay gap.”

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at Women are losing out when it comes to workplace training | Niace