Manufacturing has traditionally been a male-dominated field. The tasks and responsibilities that came with the job were seen to be fit for the physique of male workers. Fortunately, this stereotype has been debunked by many women who have contributed to the field of manufacturing.
From junior-level staff to executive positions, women are breaking down the barriers and cliched standards created in the past, and contributing to the ideal of a female-inclusive future. As a leader, it’s important for you to recognize the potential growth women can bring to your business.
To help you gain foresight into the involvement of women in the future of manufacturing, this article aims to discuss WiM initiatives as well as the benefits they bring to the table. Understand how you can create a more inclusive and innovative industry by adopting these initiatives into your organizations.
What Are Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Initiatives?
As the name suggests, WiM initiatives are programs designed to empower and support female professionals within the industry. Their main purpose is to promote inclusivity and increase the representation of women at all levels in manufacturing.
Although the fight for equality can’t be traced to a specific date, the WiM Association has been advocating for female professionals since 2011.¹ Led by its founder Allison Grealis, it began as a small executive networking group for women in metalforming. Once its members recognized the lack of national resources for women in manufacturing, they decided to shift their organization’s name and goals to what they’re known for today.
In 2016, WiM was given the designation to create a nonprofit foundation that designed and delivered developmental programs to women.² Known as the WiMEF or Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation, this specialized organization provides educational and professional initiatives to help women further their careers in the field.
Read More: Progress in Manufacturing: Women Who Are Pioneering Advancements
Growing Impact of WiM Initiatives
The shift from having a traditional to a modern manufacturing workforce comes with challenges that need to be addressed. One example of this is the long-standing pay disparity between men and women despite having the same level or position.
Instead of women individually facing the issues within their company, WiM initiatives allow leaders and employers to address the problems from the roots. This means women can focus on excelling at their jobs rather than fighting for their rights as professionals.
According to a 2019 survey conducted by the United States Census Bureau, around 4.7 million women are employed within the manufacturing industry.³ This may seem like a significant number, but it makes up only 30 percent of the field’s total workforce.
With specific programs meant to highlight the rewarding career opportunities for women in manufacturing, WiM initiatives are aiming to lessen the difference in numbers between male and female workers in the field. They are also focused on equipping women with the training they need to keep up with constantly changing demands.in
Benefits of WiM Initiatives for Women
The impact of WiM initiatives extends beyond numbers. At its core, these programs are focused on empowering women and helping them develop their careers in manufacturing. It offers female professionals different benefits such as the following:
1. Career Advancement Opportunities
WiM initiatives open doors for different career paths in manufacturing for women. These include roles in engineering, management, operations, and more. When there are no disparities or barriers to worry about, women are more likely to grab opportunities for career advancement. Their chances to be considered for promotions and leadership roles also increase as they are assessed based entirely on their skills rather than their gender.
With the programs offered by the WiMEF, your female employees can gain the skills and knowledge they need to progress in their careers. They can take advantage of the training offered to gain more expertise in their field of specialty. This makes them more likely to fill higher-level positions in the future.
2. Opportunities for Networking and Mentorships
Beyond teaching skills, WiM serves as a platform for women to connect with other professionals they can consider as mentors or peers. Networking events like conferences and meetings could give your people the chance to build relationships and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals.
Considering the gender gap that still exists, your female professionals will certainly have different experiences compared to your male workers. Connecting with other women who relate can help strengthen them to continue their professional journey.
3. Improved Professional Visibility
Participating in WiM events can help increase women’s visibility in the manufacturing community. Whether you’re helping organize conferences that involve your female industry leaders or simply encouraging your people to share their ideas, this increased visibility can lead to new job opportunities for women within your business. It can also establish them as experts within the field.
Advantages of WiM Initiatives for Businesses
WiM initiatives aim to aid women with their professional careers. Although this is undeniable, it doesn’t mean these programs are beneficial only to them. As a business, there are many advantages to implementing WiM programs. Some of the most notable examples are:
1. Fosters Inclusivity and Diversity
When you encourage the recruitment and promotion of female professionals in manufacturing, you are already contributing to your business’ inclusivity efforts. This leads to the creation of more diverse teams with professionals having different backgrounds and perspectives.
For you to gain this benefit, it’s necessary to enforce inclusivity in your hiring and promotion processes. Make sure that your job posts are free from biases and actively encourage applications from women. You can also take your efforts a step further by offering educational training for your employees. This would help everyone recognize and avoid unconscious biases at work.
2. Encourages Innovation
As mentioned above, a diverse team equates to a set of individuals with different perspectives. When you adopt WiM initiatives, you are equipping your company with individuals who can bring fresh ideas to the conversation. This can result in innovative choices that would enhance the quality of your products and services.
Remember that innovation can’t happen if there’s no space for it. This is why you need to support the curiosity of your employees. Allow them to learn from their mistakes and advocate for open communication between your people. When professionals feel comfortable discussing ideas regardless of their gender, innovation is more likely to happen.
Read More: Women in Manufacturing: A Catalyst for Growth
3. Addresses Workforce Gaps
The nature of the manufacturing industry requires businesses to hire numerous professionals to fill the open positions needed for smooth operations. Since many companies are often hiring at the same time, there is a shortage of qualified candidates within the industry.
With WiM initiatives, you can tap into a broader talent pool. Instead of searching only for men with the skills you need, you can consider women who may have been previously overlooked despite their expertise. This approach will help you fill critical positions faster while ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled workers when you need them.
Read More: Right Hire, Right Now: How Skills-Based Hiring Gets You the Perfect Fit
4. Improves Retention and Reputation
In today’s landscape, employees prefer working for businesses that share their values. So, actively supporting WiM initiatives and pushing for diversity can help you gain the favor of your workforce. Aside from creating an inclusive workplace, advocating for initiatives that your people can benefit from can result in higher employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention rates.
Additionally, if your business gains a strong reputation for its diversity and inclusivity efforts, it’s more likely to attract top talent than organizations that don’t. You can also enhance your company’s long-term employer branding.
HIRE WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS WITH MASIS STAFFING
The unparalleled benefits brought by WiM initiatives are only attainable with the right experts and professionals. Masis Staffing has partnered with Women in Manufacturing as part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
With decades of experience, we are dedicated to helping businesses create remarkable partnerships with the professionals they need. Learn how to empower your employees and contribute to creating a more inclusive industry.
Talk to one of our Executive Recruiters today!
References
- “Who We Are.” Women in Manufacturing, 2024, www.womeninmanufacturing.org/about/who-we-are.
- “About WiMEF.” WiM: Education Foundation, 2024, www.wimef.org/about-the-wimef.
- “Industry By Sex For the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over.” United States Census Bureau, 1 Aug. 2019, data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2019.S2403
