Considering a career in manufacturing

What is manufacturing

Manufacturing includes all businesses that physically or chemically transform materials or substances into new products (excluding agriculture and construction). It is a vital industry to the Victorian economy, employing over 260,000 people across nearly 24,000 businesses.

There are a range of well-paid and secure career pathways across the manufacturing industry, including in:

• mechanical engineering
• robotics
• additive manufacturing
• software engineering
• design and packaging
• metal fabrication.

Why don’t more women work in this sector

Victoria’s manufacturing industry has been historically male dominated. However, today there is a diverse range of roles and opportunities for people of all genders and identities across Victoria’s advanced manufacturing sector.

Outdated stereotypes about who belongs in certain professions can prevent some women and girls from pursuing a career in a male-dominated sector, such as manufacturing. These ideas are damaging and wrong – gender should never be a barrier to employment.

Women from all backgrounds are encouraged to consider a career in manufacturing, including women with disability, multicultural women, older women, and LGBTIQA+ women.

This strategy can support employers uphold their responsibility to ensure gender is not a barrier to employment, and create workplaces that are safe and supportive for everyone to participate and advance in.

How to get into the manufacturing workforce

There are many programs, events and initiatives across the state to encourage more women and girls to pursue study and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

There are also many career support services available to guide you to a career in manufacturing, based on your needs and skill level.

Resources and information

• Women and girls in STEM map
  Displays the range of STEM programs available to Victorian women and girls.
  STEM map
• Trade and Tech Fit Career Expo
  Gives female and gender diverse secondary students a unique and exciting experience of trade and technology industries.
  Victorian Government’s Trade and Tech Fit career expo page
• Head Start apprenticeships and traineeships
  Helps students complete an apprenticeship or traineeship alongside their senior secondary education.
  Victorian Government’s Head Start apprenticeships and traineeships page
• VDSS Core Offering
  Vocational Education and Training Delivered to School Students (VDSS) Core Offering is a pathway program, which includes a set of certificates to help students enter industries like manufacturing.
  Department of Education’s VDSS: Guidance page
• Tech schools
  Part of Victoria’s STEM education centre network.
  Victorian Government’s Tech Schools page
• Free TAFE programs
  Provides a range of TAFE qualifications and short courses to support people entering the workforce.
  Victorian Government’s Free TAFE for more Victorians page
• Skills and Jobs Centres
  Offers free career, employment and training support services to everyone.
  Victorian Government’s Skills and Jobs Centres page
• Jobs Victoria
  Provides free support to people having difficulty finding employment, with advice, mentors and Work and Learning Centres.
  Jobs Victoria website
• Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENS)
  Works with local communities across Victoria to improve education, training and employment outcomes for all young people.
  Vic LLENS website
• Whittlesea Community Connections
  Offers information sessions, skill-building workshops and employment mentoring for women looking to enter energy or manufacturing sectors in the Hume and Whittlesea area.
  Redefining Women’s Work in Hume & Whittlesea page
• Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
  Offers information and support for women looking to enter and advance in the manufacturing sector.
  AMWU website
• South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance
  Offers mentorship, skills training, events and networking opportunities for women in South East Melbourne looking to enter and advance in the manufacturing sector.
  Women in manufacturing page

Spotlight on Victorian Government action

The Trade and Tech Fit career expo

The Trade and Tech Fit career expo shows young women and gender diverse people the exciting world of trade and tech industries, including manufacturing.

The expo also highlights the rewarding and well-paid careers available in these industries.