Manufacturers Look for Ways to Close the Gender Gap

The U.S. manufacturing industry’s ongoing skills gap is affecting 80 percent of employers and is exacerbated by the underrepresentation of women, according to a new report from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute.

Challenges and opportunities to integrate more women into the manufacturing workforce are illustrated in the study, “Celebrating Success, Achievement and Potential of Women in Manufacturing: A Leadership View of Overcoming the Talent Crisis and Filling the Skills Gap.”  

Building upon the women in manufacturing research previously published by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte, senior executives representing automotive, aerospace and defense, process, and diversified manufacturing participated in an executive roundtable on Feb. 6, 2014. They discussed women in the manufacturing industry and initiatives to help close the gender gap, including how manufacturers can best attract, retain and advance talented women in the industry. 

During the roundtable, executives focused on changing the corporate culture in the industry and what manufacturers can do to create a strong employer brand.

"While women make up approximately 50 percent of the labor force according to industry estimates, that number is only about 24 percent in the manufacturing labor force," said Craig Giffi, vice chairman of Deloitte LLP. "Manufacturing executives have developed several effective strategies to help close the gender gap and, in turn, the skills gap."

Manufacturing executives suggested several strategies to help close the gender gap, including integrating women into the corporate strategy to lead a strategic cultural change while ensuring men are equally involved and committed to the efforts; sharing leading practices and being proactive in providing resources to inform, educate and mentor; and using affinity groups to generate ideas, motivate peers and give/receive guidance.

"The skills shortage facing U.S. manufacturers is apparent, and the underrepresentation of women only contributes to the gap," said Jennifer McNelly, president of the Manufacturing Institute. "We must empower each other as ambassadors of the industry so we can inspire the next generation of young women to pursue manufacturing careers and encourage current female talent within the industry."

For more information or to view the full report, visit www.deloitte.com/us/womeninmfg.