The Queensland government has collaborated with Gold Coast Titans NRLW team to promote the Women in Manufacturing Strategy, a state initiative aimed at attracting and retaining women in the traditionally male-dominated industry.
The partnership will focus on promoting the Women in Manufacturing Mentoring Program and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Toolkit.
Designed in collaboration with the Ai Group, the mentoring program seeks to help young women in school and new entrants to manufacturing build confidence, develop their careers, and expand their networks in the field.
Selected participants for the program will be matched with an industry mentor, who will support and guide them towards achieving their career goals.
“We want women to know there is support available to help them find their path into manufacturing. We are rolling out a range of initiatives to welcome women into a career in this incredibly varied sector and it is proven that mentoring is a great strategy to improve attraction and retention rates,” said Dean Deighton, Ai Group’s Queensland State Head.
“A career in manufacturing doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be a welder on the factory floor, although that is one option open to women. It could be anything in a vast array of careers that include jobs such as a logistics coordinator, a production supervisor, a CNC machinist, a supply chain manager – the list is almost endless.”
Meanwhile, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Toolkit will be delivered across local manufacturing businesses in Queensland to equip employers with strategies that will help them diversify their workforce, improve resilience, and reduce turnover.
With many parallels between women working in traditionally male-dominated industries and women in sports, a partnership with the Titan’s Women in Rugby League team just makes sense, according to Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher.
“We know it’s difficult for manufacturers to attract and retain skilled workers, and we know that only 11% of workers on the tools are women – we can do better than this,” the minister said. “Attracting and upskilling women is a win-win for the workforce and for women, who can find a rewarding career in manufacturing.
