The (Manufacturing) Future is Female

I work in a male-dominated industry.

While this isn't especially revolutionary, it does give me a unique perspective into the largest problem manufacturing faces today and into the foreseeable future.

Skilled labour shortage.

It's estimated that 700,000 skilled trades workers in Canada are expected to retire between 2019 and 2028. Add this to the data that apprenticeships are declining, and the skilled labour deficiency worsens.

With women comprising 51% of the population, the solution to boost their numbers in manufacturing and trades is a clear one.

How do we attract more high school graduates, and specifically women to manufacturing?

BREAK THE STIGMA EARLY

I whole-heartedly feel that youth need to be exposed to the multitude of benefits that a career in a skilled trade affords them.

While progress has been made to improve this shortcoming, the stereotype remains that a technical college is seen as the option for teens unable to get into university. It's also heavily promoted to males.

I was taught at a young age, by my parents and teachers, that a university education was the sole path to career success- especially considering my good grades. This was a common (mis)belief and now my generation is raising the teens that are making those same post-secondary education choices. Has that outdated thinking changed?

Turning the ship of misconception around takes time and effort on multiple fronts. It requires commitment and leadership to drive the initiative.

Here in Canada, the CTMA (Canadian Tooling & Machining Assoc) has made incredible strides partnering with OCTE (Ontario Council for Technology Education) to update the aging equipment found in provincial high school technical programs. They have collaborated with teachers who have gone above and beyond to share their passion for trades with their students and created outstanding programs at their schools. And just this past spring, the CTMA began a high school award program that presents each recipient with a cheque for $1000 at the school's graduation ceremony.

Enrollment in the tech classes at these schools has increased substantially, including more girls.

REPRESENTATION MATTERS

Young women need to see and meet successful females in trades and manufacturing. It will naturally grow the demographic. Females, currently an obvious minority in this field need to feel validated, valued, seen and have the freedom to express opinions comfortably. A male-only environment can make this difficult and intimidating, even for a token female- of course there are exceptions. To truly grow this female workforce, young girls need to see themselves in the women working in these roles.

INCLUSIVITY

As a female working in a male-dominated field, I never looked for special treatment, but wanted only to be treated as an equal. That may seem obvious and straight-forward but according to Statistics Canada the gender pay-gap remains at 0.89, meaning for every dollar a man makes, a woman makes $0.89

In addition to compensation, unconscious gender bias can appear in recruitment, opportunities for advancement, leadership development and project assignments. Oftentimes, management is unaware of the bias they hold.

Read more: Research shows that women are still under-represented in the C-Suite

It's important to take an honest look at our classrooms and workplaces to ensure females are entering a welcoming, inclusive environment.

LISTEN

A clearer understanding of the available opportunities, improved representation and inclusivity will build on current initiatives to attract more women to the trades but engaging with them at a grassroots level is perhaps the best way to start.

Instead of guessing and assuming what will attract women to trades, speak with them and truly listen. Perhaps open up your shop and tech classrooms for a "girls-only" tour and talk. Ask your daughters, sisters, nieces, cousins and friends if a career in manufacturing or the trades is an option for them. Dispel the inaccuracies if they arise. Speak to the exciting technology, the creativity and the attention to detail these roles can have, along with job security, endless opportunities and excellent compensation.

Doing so may result in ideas we've never thought of to encourage more girls to choose a career in this business that we love.