JAMES Frith has called on employers to do more to tackle gender disparities among apprentices.

The Bury North MP used a speech at a conference held by Clarion Futures - a leading charitable apprenticeship provider - to call on providers to do more to recruit women.

In his speech, delivered on International Women’s Day, and during National Apprenticeship Week, he highlighted the gender disparities in certain fields, including science, engineering, and maths.

In 2014/15, less than 4 per cent of engineering apprentices were women and only 9 per cent of the current engineering workforce is made up of women.

Mr Frith told the conference: “When women are left out or overlooked we fail to fulfil their potential and ours.

"Girls and young women must be encouraged to take up STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects and schools, colleges and employers should take up the challenge to ensure where there is little progress in the equal representation of women that we target it and match it.”

The MP also visited apprentices at MSL Solutions, in Manchester Road, Walmersley, who are employed through the Bury College Employment Gateway as laboratory apprentices.

The company currently employs two female apprentices.

Afterwards, he said: "Apprenticeships are an important route into employment for those wanting to work and learn whilst earning a wage.

"It is really important for local businesses to support apprenticeships and give local young people the opportunity to start a career and I encourage all employers in Bury to explore the possibilities."