A new campaign has been launched to encourage more women into manufacturing as Queensland faces a critical skills shortage in the $28.9 billion sector.
Launched ahead of International Women’s Day, Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) has created the Manufacturing Industry Influencer Program which showcases women who are building successful careers in manufacturing by working in jobs ranging from boilermakers and engineers to rocket designers.
MSQ Acting CEO Kris McCue says it is important for women to see other women working in manufacturing because “if you see it, you can be it”.
“Some workplaces are now seeing increased female participation, and that’s the trend we want to accelerate across the entire manufacturing sector,” she says.
The influencers will be visiting schools across Queensland and speaking at community forums and industry events to inspire the next generation, promote MSQ’s training and mentoring programs, and campaign for more women in manufacturing.
Influencer Rebecca Linwood works at a leading rail and transit systems business in Maryborough and is known as the ‘safety lady’.
“At our facility, more than 10 per cent of the workforce are women, working across boiler making, fitter and turner, safety, finance, purchasing, design and engineering,” she says.
“Manufacturing can be fast-paced, exciting, and something you can be proud of. You can be yourself and still play an integral role in making manufacturing happen.”
Clockwise from top: Manufacturing industry influencers Mercedes Skillen, Steph Piper and McKinley Pope
Around 170,000 people work in manufacturing across Queensland. MSQ delivers targeted workforce development programs to support manufacturers in building capability and addressing critical skills gaps across the sector.
Influencer and creative technologist Steph Piper is based at the University of Southern Queensland and runs the Library Makerspace where students learn about manufacturing skills like 3D printing and electronics.
“I didn’t even know my current job existed when I graduated high school,” she says.
“For young women right now, manufacturing is such an exciting space. You can be technical and use your creativity to make things only you can dream of.”
Influencer Mercedes Skillen spends her days in a laboratory and is a MSQ mentor who provides support to women starting their careers.
“The manufacturing industry within Queensland has grown. It’s modern, it’s diverse, but we need more upskilling and more women to bring diversity across the sector,” she says.
MSQ supports Queensland manufacturers with training, skills development and workforce solutions. To learn more about the women behind manufacturing, take a look at the manufacturing industry influencers here.
Related Story: HVIA Launches New Women’s Network