WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING
DRIVING CHANGE
With talent as the top driver for manufacturing competitiveness , how can the industry encourage more women to join its ranks ?
“ Research shows that gender diversity benefits a manufacturing organisation through improved ability to innovate , higher return on equity and increased profitability .”
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Modern manufacturing is undergoing a fundamental transformation ; a new fourth industrial revolution . Rapid technological advances and the convergence of physical and digital manufacturing are helping to change the way that manufacturers operate and raising the bar for required employee skillsets ,” said a 2017 Women in Manufacturing study from The Manufacturing Institute , APICS and Deloitte
“ Talent at all levels is becoming a key competitive differentiator . In fact , manufacturing executives around the world
Employee diversity makes good business sense . There is a direct correlation between diversity / inclusion and profitability , including the speed and type of innovation , and diversity of thought
rank talent as the top driver of manufacturing competitiveness . At the same time , the U . S . manufacturing industry faces an estimated two-million-worker shortfall over the next decade , and industry executives report that six out of 10 positions are currently unfilled due to a manufacturing skills gap . Yet , at least one critical element that can aid in closing the gap remains largely untapped - women .”
Employee diversity makes good business sense . There is a direct correlation between diversity / inclusion and profitability , including the speed and type of innovation , and diversity of thought . The report flagged that gender diverse leadership groups encourage broader strategic thinking and , together , these teams can tackle issues more effectively . It also highlighted that industry bias towards men for leadership positions , organisational cultural norms and the perception of the industry overall are ‘ three primary factors ’ for the under-representation of women in manufacturing .
Women in manufacturing study overview
In 2017 , The Manufacturing Institute , APICS and Deloitte surveyed more than 600 women in manufacturing and conducted nearly 20 manufacturing executive interviews to explore how effectively manufacturing companies are attracting , recruiting and retaining women , and what should be done to close the gender gap . The women surveyed were well-educated ( 90 per cent with a bachelor ’ s
20 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR April 2021