Make no mistake: Australia’s workforce is changing at an alarming pace. Within the next two decades, robotics and automation will transform Australia’s job sector. Increasingly sophisticated technologies lie at the core of this change, causing an increase in the requisite skills and knowledge demanded of workers. While this change is disruptive in nature and poses unique challenges, technological advancement is simultaneously creating lucrative career opportunities.

What remains to be seen, however, is a higher percentage of women seizing the opportunities of the digital age. The perception and reality of traditionally male-dominant work environments for women are unchanged by the rapid pace at which technological advancement is creating opportunities.

In terms of perception, women face several barriers that prevent them from entering the industry, despite technological change making their inherent capabilities more competitive. The reality is that the benefits of a diverse and inclusive manufacturing workforce are multi-tiered; individuals, organisations and the societal level reap the rewards concurrently.

Women often perceive “traditional trades” as unwilling to change. This perception can prove discouraging, especially for those interesting in undertaking studies in the vital STEM subjects, underpinning many of the manufacturing qualifications. Those who do brace male-dominated industries often find their perceptions affirmed – worksites are not inclusive and do not have the infrastructure to support women.

Despite these seemingly stubborn barriers, women (and more broadly, a diverse workforce) offer important economic and managerial benefits. For one, considerable strides have been made in recent years to recognise the contribution of women to the bottom-line of organisations and the economic benefit to the nation. Research demonstrates how increasing female workforce participation by around 6% would increase the size of the Australian economy by about $25 billion per year.

The proof may be in the pudding, but it’s the pudding posing the problem. Women remain underrepresented and their value isn’t being acknowledged by tech-heavy, male-dominant industries such as manufacturing.

In light of this evidence, more women should be encouraged to embrace the challenges of the Australian workforce and yield the rewards of technological advancement. To tackle these challenges, women must expand their influence, refine strategic communication skills, and effectively navigate unconscious bias. In doing so, women will be able to reshape the perceptions of other women towards the manufacturing industry and raise their own profile for career advancement.

To delve deeper into these innovative solutions for achieving gender parity, join an unmissable lineup of industry leaders at Liquid Learning’s 2nd Women in Manufacturing Leadership Summit. Some of the country’s foremost industry leaders are joining forces to share their personal leadership journeys and offer practical tools for success. Anecdotal case studies, expert commentaries, workshop sessions and interactive panel discussions make up this invigorating experience that will provide the insight, advice, inspiration and support to embrace the future of the Australian manufacturing industry.

2nd Women in Manufacturing Leadership Summit

12-15 February 2019 | Melbourne

Key Highlights:

• Join industry leaders from Australia’s leading manufacturers including Orora, Brickworks, Fonterra Australia and Caltex Australia
• Communicate with influence and impact
• Position yourself for promotion
• Convert challenges into opportunities
• Make your work-life balance right for you
• Ignite innovation in manufacturing
• Navigate unconscious bias