But nine is still a very small number - just two per cent of the 471 apprentices. This is despite British Gas Engineering Academy director Rod Kenyon's assertion that his company is "working like hell to increase the number of female engineers" - although to be fair, it has doubled the number of women working in its engineering divisions over the past five years.
The Government has placed Apprenticeships at the heart of its 14-19 education and skills plans, and they will link in to the 14 new vocational diploma options for school pupils.
Careers guidance has a crucial role to play, as pointed out by the Women and Work Commission, which says Connexions advice risks reinforcing gender stereotypes (YPN, 8-14 March, p14). The draft quality standards for information, advice and guidance that the Department for Education and Skills is producing by November for finalisation next April will include guidelines on this.
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