July 30, 2024 The Future of Manufacturing Depends on Women

Women are key to revitalizing manufacturing: This article explores their historical impact, current challenges and strategies for success.

By Dawn Brusseau, Senior Manager, Product Marketing

Almost 80 years after the inception of “Rosie the Riveter,” the manufacturing industry may be turning to women once again to address the growing workforce crisis. During World War II, approximately 6 million women entered the manufacturing workforce to provide resources for the war effort. The incredible efforts by these women upheld an industry that supplied the necessary machines and munitions to support the war effort abroad. Now, multiple decades later, that same field is facing a shortage of workers, placing the industry at risk of falling behind competitors in manufacturing output.

While women have reached a more balanced percentage of the overall workforce, equaling about 49.8% of all employees, certain industries remain unbalanced. For example, as of this year, women account for only 29% of the manufacturing workforce. Simultaneously, The Manufacturing Institute reports that in the next decade, the United States manufacturing sector may require approximately 3.8 million additional employees to keep up with production.  To address these challenges, organizations must prioritize building infrastructure that supports training and attracting women to manufacturing, increasing more flexible work hours, closing the gender gap and addressing the worker shortage.

Building a Strong Foundation: Creating a Culture of Connection

Equipping organizations with comprehensive training and performance monitoring solutions increases worker productivity and engagement, uplevels women already in the manufacturing field and safeguards current industry expertise. By empowering women in the workforce and recruiting new women to the industry, employees feel greater connection to output and organizational success. In order to achieve these milestones, organizations should focus on the following integral connections that are essential to developing and retaining a skilled workforce:

• Person to Purpose: When employees understand the bigger picture and how their work contributes to the company’s or customer’s goals, they become more invested and motivated. This can be achieved by clearly communicating the company’s mission and vision. Regularly tracking and highlighting the impact of individual contributions on key performance indicators (KPIs) further reinforces this connection.
• Person to Person: Strong bonds between employees and management are essential, as these relationships foster a positive and supportive culture that leads to higher employee retention. Encouraging connections through mentorship programs, knowledge-sharing initiatives and accessible communication tools empowers the workforce to collaborate effectively and work more strategically.
• Person to Productivity: Providing employees with the right tools is crucial for optimal productivity. This includes clear and concise work instructions, access to advanced technologies relevant to their roles and well-maintained equipment and devices.
• Person to Process: Connected workers with a comprehensive understanding of the manufacturing process perform better. Investing in training programs that emphasize workflow optimization, preventive maintenance, quality control measures, and continuous skill development fosters a culture of safety, efficiency and a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of the manufacturing ecosystem.

Providing a thorough sense of connection by leveraging comprehensive technology and infrastructure is essential to ensuring a successful transition of labor. To bridge the current labor gap, manufacturers must prioritize reskilling initiatives specifically designed to attract and empower a new workforce.  By investing in women’s potential, manufacturers can not only diversify their talent pool, but also build a future workforce that’s technologically proficient, ensuring a thriving and inclusive industry for years to come.

Empowering the Next Generation: Women as Leaders in Manufacturing

Increasing the share of women in the field can also improve employee morale and retention. For example, research has found that increasing gender diversity in manufacturing improves innovation and increases return on equity and profitability for manufacturing organizations. At the same time, data reveals that women who work in manufacturing make 16% more than the median income for women.

However, there are still significant measures to be made to address the lack of women in leadership. For example, current estimates reveal that only about 25% of manufacturing leadership roles are held by women. This can be solved by prioritizing training and knowledge sharing programs to ensure companies are elevating women’s voices and skillsets. Focusing on developing internal programs that support these initiatives is essential to retaining this essential labor force within the manufacturing industry.

These strategies equip manufacturers to create a welcoming and empowering environment for women. Showcasing the diverse career paths, competitive salaries, and opportunities for growth will attract a new generation of talent. Just like “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II, women can once again be a driving force in the success of American manufacturing. The industry’s future depends on harnessing the full potential of its workforce, and women are a key part of the equation.

Dawn Brusseau is Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Rockwell Automation.

With over 20 years of experience in the discrete market space, Dawn is deeply committed to steering products with strategic anticipation and analytical acuity. As part of the Rockwell Automation team, she ensures that the software portfolio not only meets but exceeds market expectations. Dawn’s mission is to foster innovation and growth, leveraging her competencies in market research, strategy formulation, and competitive positioning. Her clear value propositions and go-to-market strategies underline critical strengths in manufacturing process improvement, new business development, and executive facilitation.

Rockwell Automation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global provider of industrial automation and digital transformation technologies. Their comprehensive software portfolio includes brands like Allen-Bradley, FactoryTalk, Plex, and Fiix supporting an ecosystem of advanced industrial applications.

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