Why Women Are Essential to Manufacturing’s Future

A Manufacturing Institute-Deloitte study published in April 2024 indicates that the need for skilled labor in the manufacturing industry is increasing. While the percentage of women in the overall workforce is rising compared to men, less than 30% of the manufacturing workforce are women.

“If we closed the gender gap in manufacturing by 10%, women could fill all open manufacturing jobs today,” says Carolyn Lee, president and executive director of the Manufacturing Institute (MI), an organization dedicated to building a resilient manufacturing workforce in the United States.

MI has focused on closing the gender gap since 2012. In 2022, with its Women MAKE America (WMA) initiative, the organization announced a bold goal: Increase the percentage of women in manufacturing to 35% by 2030.

Timken is partnering with MI to advance that goal, says Natasha Pollock, Timken’s chief human resources officer. “Manufacturing organizations facing labor and talent development challenges benefit from mutually supportive partnerships. The Manufacturing Institute provides valuable insight into best practices and industry benchmarks.”

Carolyn Lee, MI President, and Natasha Pollock, Timken CHRO, discuss industry trends at The Manufacturing Institute’s Workforce Summit in 2023.

Changing perceptions

Women have historically faced challenges in manufacturing workplaces. The traditional perception of manufacturing is quickly becoming outdated, however, as Industry 4.0 technologies turn what was once a physically intense job into work that enables people of all abilities to thrive in the industry.

Pollock says women bring a much-needed set of skills.  “Innovation is made possible through a culture of continuous learning, mentoring and coaching, and women are pivotal conduits and drivers of this intentional growth and progress.”

Role models, mentorship and recognition

To attract more women to manufacturing careers and retain them to grow into leadership positions, WMA focuses in three areas. “Role models are essential,” says Lee. “Young girls need to see women in roles they can aspire to. Part of our work is to give women in manufacturing the tools to engage students and be ambassadors for the industry.”

Mentorship is also a key strategy, and the WMA team is halfway to their goal of training a thousand mentors. MI takes a similar approach to Timken, offering training and coaching to mentors and mentees. “We’ve found mentorship to be an outstanding tool for professional and personal growth,” says Pollock.

Highlighting the contributions of women is also important. In 2024, 130 outstanding women in manufacturing were recognized at the annual Women MAKE Awards gala, including Timken’s Abby Hines, Operations Manager and a graduate of the company’s Operations Development Program (ODP).

“Having someone with Abby’s breadth of experience still early in her profession was really terrific,” says Lee. “I wish I’d had something like ODP early in my career.”

Timken Human Resources Manager Stephanie Fisher attended this year’s gala. “It’s a powerful reminder of the incredible strength and achievements of women in manufacturing. I enjoyed watching this group of visionaries come together to support each other,” she says.

Abby Hines, Timken Operations Manager, was recognized as an Emerging Leader at the annual Women MAKE Awards gala.

Toward a more inclusive future

Fisher, who serves on MI’s board of advisors, helps shape MI programs and make sure they’re relevant. “She’s an awesome champion, leading on behalf of the company and the sector so we can make sure what we build meets the needs of manufacturers today,” says Lee.

She says the next stage for WMA is to activate alumni to encourage women as they navigate their education. “We’re developing a scholarship program to make sure recipients know there are other women rooting for them — and all these resources and supports are waiting on the other side.”

Timken is inspiring the next generation of engineers and offering role models for young girls through its Engineer for a Day program. Read more.

Last Updated: 2024/09/11

Published: 2024/08/15