The manufacturing sector is facing a significant challenge: a looming skills gap. As technological advancements and new strategies redefine the industry, the demand for highly skilled workers has never been more crucial. However, with an estimated shortfall of two million workers in the U.S. alone by 2025, manufacturers must look beyond traditional talent pools and one of the most significant and underutilised pools is women. Lisa Riley, Executive Director at The Manufacturing Institute confirms:

“We’re seeing a significant skills gap in the manufacturing sector, and this imbalance is reflected, albeit loosely, in our public programmes with delegate attendance often being 80 to 100% male. Tackling this challenge requires a fresh approach to talent acquisition and women are vastly underrepresented.

The Current Skills Gap

Manufacturing executives globally identify talent as the top driver of competitiveness, yet many positions remain unfilled due to a widening skills gap.

This shortage is compounded by the sector’s rapid evolution, where the convergence of physical and digital technologies requires a workforce with a unique blend of skills. Despite this, women comprise almost half of the overall labour force, accounting for only 29% of the manufacturing workforce​ (Deloitte).

Women: An Untapped Talent Pool

Women represent a vast reservoir of untapped potential in manufacturing. Highly educated and increasingly present in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing) fields, they are poised to help fill the industry’s talent gap. However, significant barriers still prevent many from entering and advancing in the sector. These include entrenched gender biases, a lack of visible female role models, and insufficient support for balancing work and family life​ (NexSys)​(Deloitte).

The industry must actively dismantle these barriers to attract and retain more women. Companies should focus on promoting inclusive workplace cultures, offering flexible work arrangements, and implementing targeted leadership development programmes. Moreover, showcasing successful female role models and expanding mentorship opportunities can help create a more supportive environment for women in manufacturing.

Building a Future-Ready Workforce

Research consistently shows that companies with greater gender diversity, particularly in leadership roles, outperform their peers in innovation, decision-making, and financial performance. By integrating more women into the workforce, manufacturers can benefit from diverse perspectives that drive creativity and competitiveness. This diversity is essential for meeting the complex challenges of modern manufacturing.

Encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM is critical to building a future-ready manufacturing workforce. Educational outreach, combined with targeted recruitment and retention strategies, can help bridge the skills gap. Alex Elmywood, TMI Expert Leadership Consultant said:

Too often responsibility falls to the organisation to tackle these matters – often responding with policies and procedures i.e. ‘we will tell them what’s right and wrong and then police it’. Rarely does cultural change come through implementing and embedding policies. It comes through attitude change – and attitudes can only be positively influenced through frank, honest and respectful conversation.

Lessons from the Construction Industry

The construction sector, like manufacturing, faces similar challenges with a significant skills gap and low female representation—only 11% of the workforce. Initiatives such as the #notjustforboys campaign and the “Not Just Men and Muddy Boots” campaign have been effective in breaking stereotypes and highlighting the diverse opportunities available to women. These efforts demonstrate the importance of changing perceptions and creating a more inclusive work environment to attract and retain talent ​(Constructing Excellence)​(BeMore).

Future Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges

The future for women in manufacturing looks promising but is not without challenges. As companies continue to evolve and modernise, there is a clear opportunity to reshape the workforce by embracing gender diversity. However, achieving true equity will require sustained effort to change deep-rooted cultural biases and create workplaces that support the needs of women. Addressing these issues will not only help close the skills gap but also foster a more innovative and competitive industry ​(World Manufacturing Foundation)​.

To close the looming skills gap, manufacturers must harness the potential of their entire talent pool, including women. However, it’s not just about closing the skills gap, but supporting women already in the sector, championing female role models, addressing pay inequality, and working on culture. By fostering inclusive cultures, supporting STEM education, and dismantling stereotypes, the industry can unlock the full potential of its female workforce. This will not only help bridge the talent gap but also drive innovation and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

Manufacturers must commit to these efforts if they hope to remain competitive and resilient in the face of ongoing technological changes. The future of manufacturing depends on it.