There are currently 1021 female apprentices in training in non-traditional trades. In 1997 more females than males were enrolled in English and Languages, Social Sciences, Mathematics A, Biological Science, Business Education, Home Economics, the Arts and Religious and Ethical Studies. In 1997 more males than females were enrolled in Mathematics B and C, Chemistry, Physics, Health and Physical Education, Industrial Technology and Computer Studies. Women's participation in the workforce is still highly gender segregated, with the highest proportion of women located in retail, clerical and service occupations and the lowest proportion in primary and secondary industries. Women's access to, and use of, information technology has implications for their ability to share in the gains of the information technology age.
Trends suggest that the IT industry is becoming masculinised as wage earning potential increases.
The lowest proportion of women to men was in primary and secondary industries including Mining, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Construction. The largest employer of women in 1998 continued to be the Retail Trade, employing 131,000 women in 1998. This figure represented nearly a fifth of all women employed, followed by Health and Community Services. Other major employers of women were Education and Property and Business Services. There are currently 1021 female apprentices in training in non-traditional trades.