Importance of starting careers learning early

As identified in the recent research published by Teach First and Education and Employers, career-related learning hopes to “tackle the kind of career stereotypes and narrow aspirations that tend to form in the primary years before lasting into adulthood”. These stereotypes include establishing that there are jobs only suitable for men and women separately, creating gender gaps in the future as apparent in STEM careers. At KidZania we actively work in joining the dots and building the bridges to ensure every child is treated equally, in an inclusive environment offering all the possibilities regardless of background. 

We asked our school children, majority were Year 6, whether they think women can do the same jobs as men and a resounding 94% said yes! Their reasons for agreeing were largely due to that “Everyone is equal” and that “Gender doesn’t affect your job”. We found that 55% of girls visiting us had taken part in jobs relating to STEM including working in the Hospital, Fire Service, Nintendo Labo and Shell Service Station, giving them hands-on experience and applying their STEM subject learning as if in real-life. Whilst girls were more likely to choose English related careers that require communication skills especially in the Newspaper activity, boys were just as likely to choose them too.