Education and training

New Zealand's success as a country is dependent on unlocking the contribtion of all of people, both women and men across all aspects of society. 

With education women are gaining qualifications at a greater rate than men but their skills are not being translated into greater career opportunities and development in the workplace.  Currently many women are educated and trained in areas that do not match where employment is growing.

Despite an increase in qualifications, women are over-represented in minimum wage jobs. More women than men are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) and Māori, Pasifika women, young mothers, former prisoners are vulnerable to low wage employment and poorer outcomes for themselves and their families.

There is potential for New Zealand’s female labour force to address current and projected skill shortages and for women to achieve greater economic success, thereby also increasing the well-being of their families.  Women and girls can be encouraged to train and work in occupations where high growth is projected and where women are currently under represented (in particular, STEM industries and construction and trades).