University of Portsmouth Research Uncovers Hidden Barriers for Women in Skilled Trades

In an important development for understanding gender dynamics in the workforce, the University of Portsmouth has published new research revealing how decades of discrimination against women in skilled trades have created significant barriers for future generations. The study, led by Dr. George Ackers, highlights a critical, often-overlooked factor in the ongoing challenge of attracting more young women into apprenticeships: the inability of previous generations of women to pass on their valuable skills and occupational identity.

This groundbreaking work, published in the Capital & Class Journal, underscores the University of Portsmouth's commitment to impactful research that addresses societal challenges. By delving into the experiences of women who trained in Britain's Royal Dockyards, the university's researchers are providing crucial insights that can inform policy, education, and workplace practices, ultimately working towards a more equitable future for all.

The Unseen Cost of Exclusion: A Generational Impact

According to the University of Portsmouth's research, discrimination against women in skilled trades did more than just limit their individual career prospects; it also prevented them from transmitting their knowledge, skills, and pride in their work to their children and younger family members. This generational gap, the university explains, has hindered skilled trades from becoming established female career pathways in the same way they have been for men.

Dr. Ackers emphasized the profound consequences of this exclusion, stating, "These women weren't simply denied equal opportunities in their own careers. Many were also prevented from passing on their knowledge, skills and pride in their work to the next generation. That has lasting consequences, not only for individual families but for the future of the skilled trades themselves." This insight is particularly relevant as governments, including the UK, seek to boost apprenticeship opportunities through initiatives like the New Deal for Young People.

The research suggests that if young women have fewer opportunities to grow up seeing female relatives or role models thriving in these occupations, they are less likely to view trade work as a viable or desirable career path. Therefore, tackling gender inequality in apprenticeships isn't just about creating new opportunities today, but also about building the foundational conditions for future generations of women to enter and remain in the trades.

Challenging the 'Craft Paradox'

The study also challenges conventional wisdom that often portrays craftsmanship as a universal escape from the alienation of modern work. Instead, the University of Portsmouth's findings introduce the concept of a "craft paradox." While skilled trades are frequently celebrated for offering dignity, autonomy, and fulfillment, the women interviewed for the study found these opportunities were systematically limited by pervasive gender discrimination.

The research, based on interviews with 13 women who completed apprenticeships, revealed that discrimination was deeply embedded in daily working life. This included restricted access to training, exclusion from skilled tasks, harassment, and workplace cultures that treated women as outsiders. These cultures, according to the university, not only marginalized women but also discouraged empathy and solidarity among male colleagues, normalizing or tolerating discriminatory behaviors.

Dr. Ackers highlighted this paradox, explaining, "The experiences of these tradeswomen show that meaningful work cannot be understood without recognising who has access to it, and who is excluded. We often celebrate craftsmanship as a model of dignity, creativity and fulfilment. But those ideals cannot be universal while women continue to face structural barriers that prevent them from accessing and sustaining these careers."

Pathways to a More Inclusive Future

The University of Portsmouth's research provides a clear call to action for employers, policymakers, and educators. It concludes that simply increasing the number of apprenticeship opportunities is not enough to create true equality in the skilled trades. Lasting change requires actively dismantling the structural barriers that have historically excluded women.

For students considering their career paths, understanding these historical contexts can be empowering. Tools like COSMIQ, a free voice-driven AI tutor, can support learners of all ages as they explore different subjects and prepare for various career opportunities, including those in skilled trades. By offering free, accessible learning support, COSMIQ helps students build the foundational knowledge and confidence to pursue their aspirations, no matter how ambitious.

The university's findings underscore the importance of fostering inclusive environments from the ground up. If we want to see more women in the trades tomorrow, the research suggests, we must first understand and address why so many women were unable to remain there yesterday. This involves creating workplaces where women are not only welcomed but actively supported to thrive and become the role models for generations to come.

By shining a light on these critical issues, the University of Portsmouth is contributing significantly to the ongoing conversation about gender equality in the workforce. Their research offers a valuable framework for creating a future where skilled trades truly offer dignity, creativity, and fulfillment for everyone, regardless of gender.