Welsh Women Encouraged To Do "Mans Work"

School girls in Wales are being encouraged to think about a career in sectors like IT and construction.

Experts say it's important to raise awareness of different opportunities that are available, including ones that seem like they're only for boys.

It's part of the launch of a new online project, aiming to tackle stereotypes and the gender pay gap.

The people behind the Equal Pay Barometer - the WAVE project - say the tool lets women see where they're being short-changed in their working lives:

"We need to look at how we value different kinds of work and how we structure job models in different occupations. For example we need to ask why more electrical, plumbing or IT jobs can't be worked flexibly".

To mark the launch, a group of pupils from Treorchy Comprehensive had a careers session with a difference - learning how to drive a train.

Salaries pay well above £30,000, but Ellie Jarvis says she doesn't think it's for her:

"In the current economy having that sort of security of a high paid job is one of the things you need to look out for, but unless you're happy with the job and the job satisfaction it's not a deciding factor"

Debbie James is a trainee driver for Arriva Trains Wales and says she was made fun of for wanting to do so-called "mans work":

"When I was younger I told people that I'd like to drive a train but I was laughed at"

"Driving a train involved shovelling coal so possibly the old image is still in people's minds and I'm sure as time goes on things will change and hopefully we'll see more women in these workplaces".

It's hoped the session will encourage girls to think outside the box when it comes to choosing a career path.