Education, Mentorship Vital to Encourage Women to Pursue Careers in Manufacturing

A recent article in Area Development magazine touts education and mentorship as key elements to increase the ranks of women working in manufacturing, especially in leadership positions. The article cites U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics indicating that while women make up nearly 50 percent of the country’s workforce, they make up less than a third of manufacturing jobs.
Offering STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education for girls in elementary school is critical to encouraging them to consider manufacturing as a rewarding, viable career option later in life, according to the article. Bringing mentors from the industry into schools and classrooms is another important step, further fostering interest and curiosity in pursuing a future in manufacturing.
The article also discusses the need to dispel manufacturing myths, such as the misconception that manufacturing takes place in dark, dirty facilities where workers perform the same simple task endlessly. In reality, today’s manufacturing jobs are characterized by technologically advanced machinery, a culture of innovation, and the ability for employees to make a difference.
The full article, written by Pamela Kan, president of Bishop-Wisecarver, is available on the Area Development website . Founded in 1965, Area Development magazine covers corporate site selection, relocation and related topics. The print edition is published quarterly and distributed to more than 40,000 executives and business leaders.