Girls were more likely than boys to be in stable work or education last year within 12 months of leaving school in Worcestershire, figures reveal.

Youth Employment UK, which works to reduce youth unemployment, says young men and women are given different career advice throughout their education, with female students hearing more about academic routes.

Department for Education statistics show that 85% of female students who finished their 16 to 18 study in 2016-17 were in education, employment or an apprenticeship the following year, compared to 82% of male school leavers.

The figures cover pupils from state-funded mainstream schools and colleges, and only those in continuous study, work or training for at least six months were included in one of the categories.

In Worcestershire, 48% of girls opted for continuing their education – including university, further education college, and other courses – while 40% of boys chose the route.

The figures also show 27% of both girls and boys went into work after leaving school.

And 15% of boys opted for an apprenticeship, while 10% of girls chose this kind of training.

The picture was similar across England, where the figure for those in education, employment or training stood at 84% for girls, and 79% for boys.

Laura-Jane Rawlings, chief executive of Youth Employment UK, said the group’s Youth Voice Census – a survey of more than 3,000 young people – showed a disparity in the career advice given to male and female students at school.

She added: “It is important to give young people a voice on the issues that affect them, and ensure that we are tailoring policy, services and programmes based on their insights and experiences.”

Overall, 12% of students in Worcestershire were not in sustained education, employment or an apprenticeship within a year of leaving school, although no activity was recorded for a further 4%.

The rate was roughly in line with that across England, where 13% of students – around one in eight – were not in education, employment or training. The activity of 6% of students was not in the data.