Progressing my career in manufacturing

Equity in the workplace

Women who work in manufacturing should expect equity in the workplace, where women have the same opportunities as men. This means people from diverse backgrounds and identities can achieve the same outcomes as their male peers.

However, there is currently a lack of women in management and leadership roles across the manufacturing industry due to structural discrimination. This can be seen when workplaces:

don’t offer flexible work arrangements, which affects people who take time out of work for caring responsibilities
overlook women for promotions when compared to men
don’t challenge misperceptions about women and gender diverse people’s ability to lead a team that is majority-men.

Wraparound supports for career progression

To support women’s careers across the manufacturing industry, there are programs designed to increase participation and progression, including in leadership roles.

These wraparound supports may include:

mentoring
leadership programs to support career aspirations
networking opportunities
peer-to-peer support
leave for health conditions, including menstruation, menopause and endometriosis
cultural leave
family violence leave (which Australian workers are entitled to)
sponsors actively looking for ways to support women’s advancement.

Women in manufacturing – NAWO mentoring program

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Resources and information

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
Offers support for women looking to enter and advance in the manufacturing sector.
AMWU website
National Association of Women in Operations
Offers mentoring programs for women and allies working in operations.
NAWO website
Empowered Women in Trades
Provides programs and services to increase women and non-binary people’s participation in trades.
EWIT website
Tradeswomen Australia’s training and support programs
Offers a range of programs and resources for women looking to enter or advance in trades.
Tradeswomen Australia’s Training and support services page
Geelong Manufacturing Council
Offers a network for women working in manufacturing in the Geelong and Ballarat regions.
GMC Women in Manufacturing Network page

Spotlight on Victorian Government action

Reducing barriers to women’s workforce participation through Best Start, Best Life

The $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms aim to lower the cost of early childhood education and care. This will help address one of the biggest barriers to women joining the workforce.

Best Start, Best Life includes:

Free Kinder for all Victorian 3- and 4-year-old children at participating services. Available for both standalone (sessional) services and long day care (childcare).
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep. This will be a universal 30-hour-a-week program of play-based learning for every 4-year-old child in Victoria.
Set up 50 affordable and government-owned early learning centres in areas that most need them. This will make it easier for families to access education and care.