Women are to be encouraged to enter new career areas that have traditionally been the preserve of men, as part of a new £10 million initiative.
Construction working, lorry driving and food manufacturing are just some of the areas that women will be asked to consider as part of the plans being led by five sector skills councils (SSCs).
The two-year scheme aims to help up to 10,000 women find new careers in areas where they are currently under-represented, whether they are school leavers or those returning to work after a break.
Under the scheme, women will be able to access training for a new career, personal development programmes to help them progress to management level, mentoring schemes and female-only bursaries for technical qualifications.
The SSCs taking part in the scheme cover areas including footwear and textiles, construction, land-based industries, food and drink manufacturing and logistics.
"Over the next two years we are investing £10 million to help remove the barriers many women still face in getting in and getting on in the workplace," said secretary of state for education and skills, Alan Johnson.
"It's about getting a better deal for women and for all of us, as this has the potential to bring a greater rate of return to our economy and society as a whole."