Women leading the fightback in jobs traditionally occupied by men

Dec 11 2011 Sunday Sun

WOMEN are bearing the brunt of crippling cutbacks hitting employment in the region.

But as the cuts bite, we discover many women are getting by in careers not traditionally associated with their sex.

Union leaders say the high numbers of women working in vulnerable public services and retail sectors mean they are losing their jobs at a faster rate than men.

Latest figures show unemployment among women has soared to its highest level since Margaret Thatcher was in power.

Nationally, the number of women out of work stands 1.05 million – the highest figure since 1988.

Newcastle North Labour MP Chi Onwurah said women in the North East are harder hit than any other region.

She said: “The Government’s policies are disproportionately targeting women, with the result that unemployment among women is the highest it has been since 1988.

“Women in the North East are even harder hit because we have high rates of employment in the public sector, especially for women.

“We are urging the Government to implement Labour’s five-point plan for jobs, which would improve job prospects by, for example, cutting back VAT to stimulate the retail sector.

“I am also trying to persuade the Government to invest in fast-growing sectors such as renewables, which could bring many jobs to the North East.”

Mikaela McConnell is a brewer at the Jarrow Brewery, owned by her parents and based at The Maltings in South Shields, South Tyneside.

The 22-year-old said: “Most of my friends are beauticians and hairdressers but there’s no reason why a woman can’t do my job.

“It’s hard work and you have to be very methodical, but it’s rewarding.”

She started work at The Maltings at the age of 16, but soon graduated to the brewery.

Mikaela said: “We’re brewing at full capacity and are looking at setting up a new brewery soon.”