Careers advice from Connexions services risks reinforcing gender stereotypes, causing young women to take less well-paid jobs, according to a group studying gender pay differences.
The report of the Women and Work Commission, Shaping a Fairer Future, which was published this week, says Connexions advisers do not generally give advice on likely salaries, concentrating instead on the young people's interests.
If more advice was given on salaries, it argues, young women might be tempted to look at less traditional career options.
The report also found some Connexions services are not doing enough to challenge ster-eotypes, and advice can get lost. It recommends that the Government ensures all young people have access to advice, backed by national principles on gender stereotyping, pay and challenges.
- www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk.
