A new campaign has been launched to encourage more women to pursue careers in manufacturing as Queensland continues to face skills shortages across the $28.9 billion manufacturing sector, according to Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ).
The initiative focuses on promoting manufacturing careers and highlighting opportunities for women and girls interested in entering manufacturing industries.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, MSQ said the program seeks to raise awareness that women have an important role in the state’s manufacturing workforce and that a range of manufacturing jobs are available, from technical and trade roles to design and engineering positions.
MSQ has introduced the Manufacturing Industry Influencer Program, which features women working in manufacturing careers, including boilermaking, engineering, and specialised fields such as rocket design. The program aims to showcase career pathways and promote training and mentoring opportunities.
MSQ Acting CEO Kris McCue said visibility is important in encouraging more women to consider manufacturing careers.
“Some workplaces are now seeing increased female participation, and that’s the trend we want to accelerate across the entire manufacturing sector,” McCue said.
He said the program is guided by the idea that representation can help inspire future workers.
“‘If you see it, you can be it’ is a simple but powerful message for women and girls considering manufacturing careers,” he said.
Influencers involved in the program will visit schools across Queensland and speak at community forums and industry events to promote manufacturing career pathways, as well as MSQ’s training and mentoring initiatives.
Influencer Rebecca Linwood, who works at a rail and transit systems business in Maryborough and is known as the “safety lady”, said manufacturing workplaces are becoming more diverse.
“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,” Linwood said.
“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.”
MSQ said about 170,000 people are employed in manufacturing across Queensland and that the organisation delivers workforce development programs aimed at helping manufacturers address skills shortages and build capability within the sector.
Creative technologist Steph Piper, who is based at the University of Southern Queensland and runs the Library Makerspace, said she was unaware her current role existed when she completed high school.
“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,” Piper said.
Influencer Mercedes Skillen, who works in a laboratory and also serves as an MSQ mentor, said the sector has been evolving but needs continued workforce development.
“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,” Ms Skillen said.
MSQ said it supports manufacturers in Queensland through training, skills development, and workforce solutions aimed at strengthening the state’s manufacturing workforce.
More information about the Manufacturing Industry Influencer Program is available through MSQ’s website.
