Over the course of the last decade, WiM has grown to be the only national and global trade association dedicated to providing year-round support to women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. At present, more than 24,000 individual members representing more than 3,000 manufacturing companies have joined our growing ranks of industry professionals from 50 U.S. states and from 50 countries. WiM encompasses manufacturers of all types and welcomes individuals from every job function working within or with the manufacturing sector. WiM presently powers year-round virtual learning, virtual career fairs, executive networking group services, a robust job board called WiMWorks, 20 meetings and conferences annually, 32 local U.S. chapters and formal professional development programs.
Who better to have as the opening keynote for #WiMSUMMIT 2024 than Sam Rapoport, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the National Football League (NFL)! Sam embodies this year's conference theme, champion for success, as she herself is a champion for expanding opportunities for women in football and is dedicated to changing the game for women in sports.
WiM SUMMIT attendees have also been busy attending breakout sessions on topics such as transforming workplaces, smart #manufacturing, building exceptional technical leaders, digital transformation in production and more.
What has been your favorite takeaway so far?
#WomeninMFG
Last night, we celebrated the 2024 inductee class of the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. It's inspiring to see the incredible impact that just 10 passionate and dedicated women can have on the #manufacturing industry.
Watch the highlight video to get a look into last night's induction reception.
#WiMSUMMIT#WomeninMFG
Registration is now open for #WiMSUMMIT 2024! We are so excited to be welcoming more than 2,100 women to the Hynes Convention Center in Boston for three days of breakout sessions, unforgettable keynote presentations, plant tours, networking and more.
A special thank you goes to our title sponsor, USI Insurance Services, for helping to make this energizing event possible.
Who's ready to kick off their conference experience? These ladies from Trane Technologies are. Let us know where you're traveling from!
#manufacturing#WomeninMFG
Happy Manufacturing Day! Today marks a unique opportunity as over 600 companies nationwide are opening their doors to showcase the incredible world of modern #manufacturing. It’s a day to inspire curiosity and innovation and to welcome the next generation of talented girls and women who will shape the future of this industry. Let's pave the way for a bright manufacturing future together!
How are you celebrating #MFGDay 2024?
Men in Leadership—Attend Women in Manufacturing (WiM) SUMMIT 2024!
Lynn Kier, former WiM Board Chair and current Board Member of the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation, and I are encouraging you to attend at least one WiM SUMMIT to support women forging careers in manufacturing. It’s time to experience things from their perspective.
Why? Until you attend, you might not fully understand the challenges they face. Last year, I found myself among a handful of men in a room filled with thousands of women, trying to join their conversations. It made me realize how they might feel every day in a male-dominated industry.
From a business standpoint, this matters. Today, there are nearly 500,000 job openings in manufacturing—higher than in 2000! Despite advancements in automation, AI, productivity, and pay, women make up only about 30% of the manufacturing workforce, even though they represent 47% of the U.S. workforce. According to the Manufacturers Alliance, 82% of men believe the industry is improving for women, but only 38% of women agree—revealing a critical gap in perception.
At last year’s WiM SUMMIT, I was honored to moderate a panel with Kristen Pforr, Catherine (Cat) Ross, and Christa Degnan Manning. I was deeply inspired by keynote speakers like Sara Liang Bowen and Jennifer Radtke, and gained valuable insights from industry fellows like Kylene Zenk, MBA, SHRM-CP. But the most transformative moments for me came during informal conversations—stepping outside my comfort zone and feeling like I was the one who had to 'fit in.'
How can we support more women in manufacturing? We show up. We listen. We learn. And we celebrate their contributions.
The next WiM SUMMIT takes place from October 6 - 9, 2024, in Boston. Last year, I encouraged my friend, Rahil Siddiqui, to attend with his team—they even set up a booth, and they’ll be back again this year! Let’s continue inspiring more men (and women) to join the movement and support Women in Manufacturing.
Conflict is inevitable, especially in the fast-paced world of manufacturing. Dealing with difficult individuals is a common challenge, but you can take steps to reduce both the frequency and impact of these encounters.
Join the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation for its next Virtual Learning Series webinar led by Diane Helbig, president of Helbig Enterprises, to gain actionable steps and learn to handle challenging interactions more effectively.
When: Tuesday, October 8 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Cost: Free for WiM members | $35 for non-members
In this session, you'll learn practical tips to better prepare yourself for any situation. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your conflict resolution skills. https://lnkd.in/g-dHA3ND
Share this post with your network to spread the knowledge and help others benefit from this valuable learning opportunity.
#Manufacturing#ProfessionalDevelopment#VirtualLearning#WomeninMFG
October is Manufacturing Month, and we have so much to celebrate!
First, let’s take a look at the facts. For the last several years, we have partnered with Xometry on a career survey of women working in the manufacturing sector. The findings are inspiring: 82% of women in manufacturing are satisfied with their careers, and more than 75% would recommend manufacturing to others. The results are also actionable. One important finding: More than 70% of women working in manufacturing today did not initially choose manufacturing as their first career option, but they now believe their skills and contributions are pushing the industry forward.
For Women in Manufacturing, Manufacturing Month is a special call to action to continue our work in championing the essential role women can play in shaping the future of manufacturing. It’s not just about filling positions—it’s about fostering the talent that will propel our industry into the future.
Our annual WiM SUMMIT happening this month - October 6-9, 2024, in Boston, MA - has a timely and relevant theme: “Champion For Success.” More than 2,000 attendees (in-person and online) will participate in workshops, networking events, and expert-led sessions focused on developing tools and strategies to advance their careers, lead with confidence, and make a lasting impact in their organizations and our industry.
Manufacturing Month motivates us to redouble our efforts to recruit, promote, and support more women. Together, we can ensure that more women are prepared to lead and succeed in our industry.
#ManufacturingMonth#WomenInManufacturing#ChampionForSuccess#WiMSUMMIT#Leadership#CareerSatisfaction#Manufacturing#womeninmfg
We are less than a week away from the WiM SUMMIT, and the excitement is building! As a WiM SUMMIT participant, you’ll join over 2,000 peers and colleagues from around the globe to reach new heights in your #manufacturing career.
Here’s why you should be just as pumped as we are:
Global Networking - Connect with professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Career Growth - Gain the game plan you need to achieve success in manufacturing.
Inspiration and Learning - Attend sessions that will empower and inspire you to advance your company and your career.
Don't just take it from us! Check out this video to discover the benefits of being part of the WiM SUMMIT team! https://ow.ly/3KYf50Tzxcy#WiMSUMMIT#WomeninMFG#WiMChampion#ChampionForSuccess
Thousands of manufacturers across the U.S. use the Registered Apprenticeship training model to #recruit, train and retain workers. These programs are of interest to employees as they offer paid on-the-job #training, helping these employees develop the right skills for the jobs that you need filled.
Learn more about registered apprenticeship programs and WiM's partnership with Jobs for the Future here: https://ow.ly/fNqR50TzoB5.
#manufacturing#WomeninMFG#apprenticeship
