Boys and girls have fixed ideas about traditional career routes despite strenuous efforts to dismantle gender 'barriers', new research shows.

The situation is harming individuals in terms of their career and salary aspirations, and the economy of Wales, as key skill gaps remain unplugged and potential talent untapped.

The findings are included in a research report called Gender Equality in Modern Apprenticeships in Wales, carried out by Chwarae Teg, and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Chwarae Teg is Wales' leading organisation for the economic development of women. The research was unveiled at the Eisteddfod by Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning Jane Davidson.

It focuses on examples of particular activities undertaken by employers, training providers, schools and Sector Skills Councils in Wales.

It also studies the effect of 'gender mainstreaming' in relation to Modern Apprenticeships in areas that have been traditionally dominated either by men or women.

Yvonne Griffith-Jones, Chwarae Teg director of policy and development, said: "Our research would seem to suggest that some of the positive action and proactive approaches to break down barriers don't always have the desired effect. "There is a need for a formal, joined up approach to ensuring there is gender equality here in Wales for men and women. "We also need to track the career progression of those who have completed training to determine whether they remain in the industries that they started out in so that there can be better targeting of activities and resources."

Jane Davidson, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "There is a real determination in the Welsh Assembly Government to tackle gender inequality and education clearly has an important part to play in this. "Unfortunately, it is still too often the case that women do not reach their full potential and too many remain in a narrow range of occupations at the low pay end of the jobs market. "Ensuring that children are aware from an early age of all the career options open to them will help combat the stereotypes about 'traditional' careers for men and women. "There is still a lot of work to do, but this report is extremely useful in highlighting effective approaches to breaking down gender inequalities in the workplace."