European experts met in London to discuss the 'extreme gendering' of the childcare workforce.
Belgian early years expert Jan Peeters, director of the research and resource centre for early childhood care and education at the University of Ghent, said, 'Men stay out of childcare because it is seen as conflicting with their male identity. It is very hard for young men of 16 or 18 years old to choose childcare as a career.
'We need to target males between 25 and 30. When men are older, they have a stronger sense of male identity and the courage to pursue a career in childcare. If more childcare centres have male workers, they will then act as role models and encourage male adolescents to join later on.'
Conference chair Professor Peter Moss, from the Thomas Coram Research Unit at London University's Institute of Education, said the UK's current gender imbalance was 'both undesirable and unsustainable'.
He added, 'Many people like the idea of a mixed workforce, but few can visualise how it will happen. I believe that a target of 20 per cent of men in childcare within ten years is a feasible goal.'
Several hundred men have attended Men in Childcare courses in Scotland since 2001, ranging from taster sessions to a full HNC in Childcare and Education. Twenty-five of them now work full-time in childcare.
Project manager Kenny Spence said, 'It takes a leap of faith for men to change career and do something different. The lack of male role models in the sector can make many men feel isolated. But things are changing and in some areas of Scotland salaries have improved immensely.'
He said experienced early years workers in Edinburgh could earn up to Pounds 21,500.
Jan Peeters agreed that higher salaries were key. 'The Flemish government has increased pay in childcare by 30 per cent. This, combined with a media campaign to target men, has been very successful.'
For more information visit www.meninchildcare.co.uk.