Study: Women in Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Institute, Washington; Deloitte, New York; and APICS, Chicago; have released a study, "Women in Manufacturing: Stepping up to make an impact that matters." The joint study is the result of more than 600 survey responses from women professionals in manufacturing, along with nearly 20 manufacturing executive interviews. The insights point to how companies can effectively recruit, retain and advance talented women in manufacturing, and illustrates ways that women in manufacturing are making an impact in the industry through programs like STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead.

This study confirms the importance of increasing the amount of women in the manufacturing workforce and that many manufacturers are missing a critical talent pool, which could aid in closing the skills gap. Some key highlights from the study include:

• Nearly three fourths (70 percent) of women indicate they would stay in manufacturing if they were to start their career today;
• Some of the most important employment characteristics for women in manufacturing include opportunities for challenging and interesting assignments, attractive pay, and work-life balance; and;
• The most impactful programs to help retain women in manufacturing include formal and informal mentorship programs, flexible work practices, and increasing the visibility of key leaders who serve role models.

The study also examines the positive impact of the STEP Ahead program, reporting insights from former honorees and emerging leaders who indicate STEP Ahead has helped raise the visibility of opportunities for women in the industry, manufacturing opportunities in the community, and opportunities for women within their companies.

"The industry is missing out on a critical talent resource to help advance innovation in manufacturing, increase America's competitiveness in the global manufacturing landscape and close the skills gap," added Trina Huelsman, vice chairman, co-author of the research, Deloitte & Touche LLP. "Unleashing the potential of women in manufacturing can reap big rewards. Organizations that make recruitment, retention and advancement of women a strategic priority can bring diverse decision making perspectives, drive innovative and creative solutions and can achieve overall better business performance."

Read the full study "Women in Manufacturing: Stepping up to make an impact that matters" today.

www.themanufacturinginstitute.org