Women in Manufacturing

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?

Thanks to The TechEd Podcast for hosting Allison Roberts Grealis on their latest episode! Listen to the episode to learn how WiM supports women in #manufacturing at all career levels, some of the biggest barriers women face in the industry, confidence-building strategies for women and more. https://lnkd.in/gJYbnf96. #WomeninMFG #podcast

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

Today, WiM President and Founder Allison Roberts Grealis and Director of the WiM Education Foundation Gretchen Moore stopped by the "Tee It Up for Manufacturing" event hosted by the Women in Manufacturing Eastern Pennsylvania chapter. This event brought the region's manufacturers together for a day of networking and friendly competition.  75% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the WiM Education Foundation to help in providing women with valuable connections, access to career pathways and best-in-class programming at all stages of their manufacturing careers. Learn more about the WiM Education Foundation here: https://www.wimef.org/. #manufacturing #WomeninMFG #support

It's the final countdown! We're just one week away from the premier conference for women and their allies in manufacturing —WiM SUMMIT! Get ready to team up with over 2,000 #manufacturing professionals in Boston and virtually for an event that's set to be a game-changer. Join us as we: • Huddle Up for productive discussions with peers and SMEs • Hear from MVPs—manufacturing leaders and trailblazers • Explore the Playbook of the technologies and issues that are shaping the future of manufacturing For our first-time attendees, welcome to Team SUMMIT! We can't wait to share this incredible experience with you. And to our seasoned veterans, we're excited to welcome you back! What are you most excited about this year? Join the conversation with #WiMSUMMIT and let's champion success together! https://ow.ly/QkhH50TyNR4 #WiMChampion #ChampionforSuccess #WomeninMFG

Join us in congratulating Julie Waymouth for her induction into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame! Julie has demonstrated unwavering support for women in manufacturing throughout her more than 30-year career in the industry. While holding numerous leadership roles and running seven Kymera International plants globally, Julie still finds time to be a mentor to many of her female colleagues and assists in leadership development for these women. Her experience as the first female General Manager in manufacturing in Bahrain has inspired others and paves the way for other women who aspire to be leaders in the space. Julie consistently emphasizes that diversity, inclusion and teamwork can lead to greater success, and we thank her for her support of women in manufacturing! We look forward to celebrating Julie and all 2024 WiM Hall of Fame inductees at a reception on October 6 in Boston as part of the #WiMSUMMIT. Visit our website to learn more and join us. https://lnkd.in/g9eZXPV5. #manufacturing #WomeninMFG #WiMHallofFame