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Explaining the Dynamics of Occupational Segregation by Gender: A Longitudinal Study of the German Vocational Training System of Skilled Crafts

Gender Segregation in Vocational Education

ISBN: 978-1-78560-347-1, eISBN: 978-1-78560-346-4

Publication date: 18 November 2015

Abstract

This chapter examines the dynamics of occupational segregation by gender in the German vocational training system (VET) and explores the validity of two hypotheses regarding the causes of changes in the sex composition of occupations. According to the first, the ‘job growth hypothesis’, feminisation of occupations occurs when women increasingly enter growing employment sectors that are experiencing a shortage of (preferred) male candidates. According to the second, the ‘exit hypothesis’, the movement of men out of selected occupations is the main mechanism driving the changes. Using official data from enrolment into the VET of skilled crafts for the period of 1997–2013, we find a very high level of occupational segregation, a very modest trend toward desegregation and a substantial increase of female representation in a group of selected training occupations. Our analysis implies that the rising share of female apprentices within these fields cannot be explained by an increased entry of young women into growing employment sectors, but that it mainly results from a disproportionate reduction of male participation in select occupations.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

This study is part of the project ‘Women in the Skilled Crafts Sector’, founded by the Ministry for Social Affairs, Public Health and Equality of Lower Saxony. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Ministry. The usual caveats apply.

Citation

Haverkamp, K. and Runst, P. (2015), "Explaining the Dynamics of Occupational Segregation by Gender: A Longitudinal Study of the German Vocational Training System of Skilled Crafts", Gender Segregation in Vocational Education (Comparative Social Research, Vol. 31), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 181-201. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0195-631020150000031007

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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