During World War II, Rosie the Riveter became a cultural icon representing women who took over men’s jobs in shipyards and factories. However, over 75 years later, manufacturing continues to be a male-dominated field.
Today, nearly half of the US workforce consists of women, but they hold only 29% of the manufacturing jobs. (United States Census Bureau, 2017) Here are four reasons to challenge this trend and actively encourage girls to pursue jobs in manufacturing.
- Manufacturing Offers Fantastic Opportunities for Everyone
Manufacturing is an exciting field with lots of room for career growth. Currently, there are 12.8 million manufacturing workers in the United States. Plus, these are good paying jobs. According to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), in 2017, the average American manufacturing worker earned $84,832 annually, including pay and benefits. - Women Are an Untapped Talent Pool
Over the next decade, experts predict the US economy will add 4.6 million manufacturing jobs, but 2.4 million of these will go unfilled due to the skills gap. This lack of qualified talent could cost as much as $2.5 trillion in reduced output between now and 2028. A smart way to address this shortage is to recruit groups traditionally underrepresented in manufacturing into STEM-related fields. - Diversity Contributes to Innovation
A diverse workforce can give any business a competitive advantage. By including people with different perspectives and experiences, organizations can better serve their customers. For example, in a recent study of over 3,000 publicly traded companies, the organizations considered to be most diverse launched, on average, two extra products in any given year. This was almost double the average for a major company. - Today’s Workers Can Inspire the Next Generation
Even though schools and universities have increased the number of STEM opportunities for girls, women often overlook or switch out of manufacturing careers. The Council of Industry reports, “only 30% of women who earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering are still working in engineering 20 years later… and of the women who have left the engineering profession, 30% cite organizational climate and lack of mentorship as the reason.” To keep women in manufacturing, companies need strong female role models who can motivate today’s girls to take on and stay active in the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow.
Are You Hoping to Add More Diversity to Your Manufacturing Team?
At Connectology, our expert recruiters understand both the hiring and the manufacturing process. We develop long-term relationships with both talented candidates and top companies, so we can offer everyone the best possible placements. Let us help you find your next superstar employee today!
