Thank you very much for the question.
Researchers are conflicted about why women are under-represented in STEM occupations, but a number of potential issues have been identified.
Female students showed lower self-confidence in their mathematics abilities across OECD countries compared to male students. In Canada according to StatsCan research even young women with a high level of mathematical ability are far less likely to enter STEM fields than men with lower mathematical abilities. This suggests that additional factors such as cultural expectations, work-life balance concerns, workplace characteristics, or differences in interest may be at play.
For women who do complete STEM degrees most choose science or biology programs rather than mathematics, computer science, or engineering, which pay higher wages on average. While women continue to be under-represented among STEM graduates, their numbers are growing. In 2011, 34% of all STEM degree holders age 25 to 34 were women compared to only 23% of STEM graduates age 55 to 64.
Concerning the skilled trades, employment in the skilled trades is perceived by some as low paid, low skilled, and low prestige. ESDC research identified a common perception that women lack the physical strength to pursue trades work.
Female secondary students reported higher parental expectations of educational success than males where educational success was commonly defined as achieving a post-secondary degree. In a survey of post-secondary students in Canada, 28% of male students responded that they've considered pursuing a career in the trades compared to only 8% of women.