The Queensland government has officially rolled out its Women in Manufacturing strategy, which seeks to attract and retain women in the industry.
In a statement, the Palaszczuk Labor Government said the new strategy will place a heavy emphasis on increasing participation in traditionally male-dominated roles.
Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher said experts have identified four priority areas in the implementation of the strategy, which are:
- Fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the manufacturing sector;
- Building on the state’s existing capabilities and skills to further women’s leadership and development;
- Supporting women’s participation in vocational education and training and promoting advanced manufacturing capabilities throughout secondary and tertiary studies; and
- Celebrating women involved in the state’s manufacturing industry.
“This International Women’s Day, I’m proud to launch this strategy aimed at achieving a more gender-equal manufacturing industry in Queensland,” Butcher said.
“Manufacturing has consistently contributed more than $20 billion per annum to the state’s economy over the past decade, and that number continues to grow. Increasing women in manufacturing by promoting an inclusive culture, makes employees feel they belong and contributes to a more diverse, robust industry” the minister added.
The strategy was developed with contributions from the Queensland government’s Manufacturing Ministerial Council Sub-Group for Women.
“We know that 29 per cent of the manufacturing workforce is women, however, those women are over-represented in administrative roles. Our goal is to open up a range of pathways, from the factory floor to the boardroom, so that women might find their place in the manufacturing sector as easily as their male counterparts do,” said Mel Ireland, the sub-group’s policy and project lead.
The Manufacturing Ministerial Council Sub-Group for Women was established in 2022 to convene experts and develop advice on the WIM Strategy action.
“The Sub-Group for Women has been proud to contribute and shape this strategy and we look forward to seeing it implemented and making a real improvement for women in manufacturing,” Ireland said.
The strategy was developed off the back of the Queensland Advanced manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan and is part of the state government’s ongoing effort with the manufacturing industry to help businesses transition to advanced manufacturing.
Read the full WIM strategy at rdmw.qld.gov.au.
