Women Face Disadvantages in Continuing Education, Study Finds
According to a recent study, women are disadvantaged in continuing education, despite being more likely to participate in company-sponsored training programs. The study, published by the Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut (WSI) of the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, found that women are more likely to participate in shorter training programs, which are less career-promoting and often lack financial and time support from their employers.
The study found that 66 percent of women and 59 percent of men participate in continuing education, with the difference largely attributed to the fact that training is more commonly mandatory in female-dominated industries, such as healthcare and social services, compared to male-dominated industries like the manufacturing sector.
Furthermore, the study revealed that women are more likely to participate in shorter training programs, lasting a few hours, with 47 percent of women and 39 percent of men taking part in such programs. In contrast, men are more likely to participate in longer, multi-day training programs, with 29 percent of men and 21 percent of women taking part in such programs.
The study also found that men are more likely to be encouraged to participate in training programs by their superiors, with 20 percent of men citing this as a reason, compared to 15 percent of women. Additionally, 39 percent of mothers reported that family obligations prevented them from participating in training, compared to 22 percent of fathers.
The deputy chair of the German Trade Union Federation, Elke Hannack, stated that “women are seen as education winners, but this is not the case in the context of company-sponsored training.” She called for a legal right to time off for training, saying that this would enable women with children to better balance work and education.