ONLY eight per cent of the science and engineering apprenticeships in Bournemouth over the last five years were taken up by women, figures show.

In East Dorset the figure was just seven per cent.

In Bournemouth, 970 Stem (Science, technology, engineering and maths) apprenticeships were started over the last five years – and just 80 were taken up by women, according to the latest data by the Department for Education.

Female representation varied between years, but remained low. It reached its highest in 2015-16 at 10 per cent, and was lowest in 2017-18 at just five per cent.

Meanwhile, women took 56 per cent of apprenticeships in all subjects in Bournemouth.

In East Dorset, 570 STEM apprenticeships were started over the last five years – and just 40 were taken up by women.

Female representation varied between years, but remained low. It reached its highest in 2018-19 at 10 per cent, and was lowest in 2017-18 when there were no female apprentices.

Meanwhile, women took 54 per cent of apprenticeships in all subjects in East Dorset.

Across England, apprenticeships as a whole are evenly split between men and women, but female representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics apprenticeships – known as STEM subjects – remains low. In no area did they represent more than a quarter of apprentices.

Seven areas, including Epsom and Ewell, Hastings, Maldon, Mole Valley, Runnymede, Rutland and West Somerset, had no female STEM apprentices over the last four years. At the other end, Crawley had the highest female representation, at 23 per cent.

Apprenticeships last an average of two years, and when completed those taking them are awarded a qualification. Over four years, 590 STEM apprenticeship qualifications were achieved in Bournemouth, only 40 of which were by women.

In East Dorset 410 STEM apprenticeship qualifications were achieved but only 30 of those were by women.

Ana Osbourne, from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, said: "Research has shown that the language used in job adverts can make the job more or less appealing to one gender and therefore discourage women from applying for certain jobs.

"We are looking at how this applies to the wording in apprenticeships – including for STEM apprenticeships, where the number of women is lower."