Bridging the gender pay gap and dispelling the myth of ‘girly’ work experience were two key issues to emerge from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s annual conference in Harrogate last month.

Baroness Margaret Prosser, chair of the Women’s National Commission, and Jenny Watson, acting chairwoman of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), told delegates that employers are in danger of neglecting a key part of the workforce.

Baroness Prosser also warned that the education system is still guiding girls into stereotypical job aspirations.

“There is insufficient evidence that girls’ aspirations are being lifted. It’s still a case of girls being put in work experience for girly jobs.”

Too many female part-time workers are overlooked for training and promotion, and therefore stuck in a rut of low-paid work, said Baroness Prosser.

Watson said EOC research found that female graduates with the same qualifications as their male counterparts received 10% less salary. There are also only 22 female plumbing apprentices in England.