Outdated misconceptions about apprenticeships are costing school leavers career opportunities, according to a report.

Research by insurer Prudential found 68% of 16 to 18-year-olds felt most apprenticeships were in male-dominated sectors such as construction, manufacturing and IT.

Of the 115 school leavers asked, 55% also thought the only apprenticeships available to women are in stereotypical "female roles" such as nursing, beauty and childcare.

These views are echoed by parents as one in three agreed that apprenticeships are more accessible to boys.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is hoping to challenge these views as it launches its modern apprenticeship equality action plan.

It sets out to highlight the wealth of opportunities available to both sexes and correct gender-imbalance and diversity issues in certain roles.

Katie Hutton, director of national training programmes at SDS, said: "This survey shines a light on a wider societal issue reflected throughout employment and in education, but for us there is no such thing as 'jobs for boys and jobs for girls'.

"More than 10,500 young women started a Modern Apprenticeship in Scotland last year.

"There are outdated perceptions about traditional job roles in the wider labour market that influence people's employment and educational subject choices.

"We aim to challenge stereotypes and provide new and innovative pathways into different, high-skilled sectors."