Our education system is failing its children, channelling girls and boys into different kinds of work, and setting the conditions for a gender pay gap. Women take up 94% of childcare apprentices but just under 4% of engineering apprentices. And women are more likely to be out of work at the end of their apprenticeship.

In women-dominated sectors – which our economy depends on – pay is falling, while investment is being directed to male-dominated industries. The gender-blind approach to investment, skills and training doesn’t work. And training and skills need to be followed by new job and earning opportunities. By making full use of these new devolved powers, it is time to change the game.   

WE will:

Use new powers over skills and training to reduce inequalities and to bring equal opportunities for all to learn, to earn and to innovate.

Tackle the gender pay gap at root and branch and deliver an investment strategy that allows all of us to drive our local economy and put Liverpool City Region at the centre of the Northern Powerhouse.

Set monitored targets for applications to the Government’s Innovate UK scheme from female entrepreneurs, ensuring more women secure this vital funding.

Make Growth Hub the ‘go to’ place for people wishing to start up and grow their businesses, working with the G12, LEPs and other organisations.

Work with female entrepreneurs and organisations that provide mentoring and support for women to tackle the female under-representation in employment and business start-ups.

Use a part of the 19+ adult skills budget to boost training for childcare providers, in line with our plan for universal childcare, and encourage more men into childcare careers.

Create 40,000 new jobs with our ambitious childcare plans, boosting the economy and giving businesses access to a larger talent pool and a smaller staff turnover.