Gen Y members are lucky to have the opportunity of entering a working world that is working harder every day to create an enabling and inclusive workplace.
Not only are companies more inclusive than ever, they’re also creating awareness and positivity, and making accommodations to ensure that all facets of diversity are welcome in the workplace.
However, there is always room for further improvement, especially when it comes to gender gaps, which still exist in certain industries.
In a world where gender doesn’t restrict an individual from starting a career in their industry of interest, why are there still obvious gender gaps?
Even in 2013, researchers found that women were less likely to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (the so-called STEM fields) and felt they were less encouraged to pursue these careers by their parents.
Take a look at the 10 most gender-dominated fields for men and women in Canada and the United States as of this year:
10 Most Male-Dominated Occupations |
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Canada |
US |
||
Occupation |
% Of Female Employees |
Occupation |
% Of Female Employees |
Brick Layer |
1.1% |
Brickmasons, Block masons & Stonemasons |
0.1% |
Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics |
1.1% |
Cement Masons, Concrete Finishers |
0.3% |
Other Mechanics |
1.2% |
Electrical Power Line Installers & Repairers |
0.4% |
Gas Fitters |
1.4% |
Carpet, Floor, Tile Installers & Finishers |
0.5% |
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics |
1.4% |
Heating, AC, Refrigeration Mechanics & Installers |
0.6% |
Construction Millwrights & Industrial Mechanics |
1.5% |
Bus & Truck Mechanics & Diesel Engine Specialists |
0.7% |
Electricians |
1.6% |
Misc. Mechanics, Installers & Repairers |
0.8% |
Industrial Electricians |
1.7% |
Tool & Die Makers |
0.9% |
Steamfitters, Pipefitters & Installers |
1.7% |
Roofers |
1.0% |
10 Most Female-Dominated Occupations |
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Canada |
US |
||
Occupation |
% Of Male Employees |
Occupation |
% Of Male Employees |
Secretaries |
2.1% |
Secretaries & Administrative Assistants | 3.9% |
Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists |
2.8% |
Childcare Workers | 5.3% |
ECE & Assistants |
3.6% |
Receptionists & Information Clerks | 7.3% |
Court Recorders & Medical Transcriptionists |
3.9% |
Teacher Assistants | 7.6% |
Dietitians & Nutritionists |
5.2% |
Registered Nurses | 8.9% |
Audiologists & Speech Language Pathologists |
5.9% |
Bookkeeping, Accounting, & Auditing Clerks | 9.1% |
Babysitters, Nannies & Parent Helpers |
6% |
Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners | 11% |
Receptionists & Switchboard Operators |
6.2% |
Nursing, Psychiatric & Home Health Aids | 11.8% |
Nurse Supervisors & Registered Nurses |
6.3% |
Personal & Home Care Aides | 13.9% |
Estheticians, Electrologists & Related Occupations |
6.4% |
Office Clerks, General | 15.8% |
While certain industries have significant gender gaps, the good news is that many employers and industries are working hard to reverse gender-specific trends, investing in proactive outreach and creating more inclusive workspaces.
Learn more about creating an inclusive workspace in TalentEgg’s Diversity Career Guide, in partnership with RBC!
Source: Catalyst