Recent research by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills has found that upskilling women in the workplace could add some £23 billion to the economy. The report was released as the Women in Work Sector Pathways initiative announced a further £5 million of funding to help women into male-dominated employment sectors.

In 2009, two-thirds of women work in just 12 occupational areas – mainly cleaning, catering, clerical, retail and caring – whilst two-thirds of men work in 26 occupational areas. Men generally work at a higher level in technical, engineering, transport and communications occupations.

This video showcases the benefits of the Women in Work initiative, which aims to address issues of gender imbalance in today’s labour market.