--- title: We Need More Women in Manufacturing description: Women in manufacturing account for only 28% of the workforce. You can fill your employment gap by encouraging more women through STEM and mentorship. image: https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/helmet-1636345_1920-3.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/we-need-more-women-in-manufacturing#main) - FAQs - [News](https://ontarioeast.ca/news) - [Events](https://ontarioeast.ca/events) - [Ontario East Municipal Conference](https://ontarioeast.ca/happenings/our-team-partners) - [About Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/about-us/) - Search [![site_main_logo](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/site_main_logo.svg) ![site_main_logo_scrolled](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/site_main_logo_scrolled.svg) ![Ontario East Economic Development logo](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=245&height=150&name=logo.png) ![Ontario East Economic Development logo](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=245&height=150&name=logo.png)](https://ontarioeast.ca/) - [Show submenu for Regional Profile Regional Profile](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/) - [Our Communities](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/our-communities/) - [Advantages](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/advantages/) - [Workforce](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/workforce/) - [Incentives and Funding](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/incentives-and-funding/) - [Success Stories](https://ontarioeast.ca/success-stories/) - [Available Properties](https://ontarioeast.ca/available-properties/) - [Show submenu for Key Employment Sectors Key Employment Sectors](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/) - [Advanced Manufacturing](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/advanced-manufacturing/) - [Food and Beverage](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/food-and-beverage/) - [Logistics and Transportation](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/logistics-and-transportation/) - [Other](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/other/) - [Show submenu for Members Members](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) - [Member Directory](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) - [Become a Member](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/become-a-member/) - [Membership Application Form](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/membership-application-form/) - [Regional Marketing Committee](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/regional-marketing-committee/) - [Jobs & RFPs](https://ontarioeast.ca/jobs-rfps/) Open main navigation Menu Close main navigation Menu - Search - Show submenu for Regional Profile Regional Profile - Regional Profile - [Regional Profile](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/) - [Our Communities](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/our-communities/) - [Advantages](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/advantages/) - [Workforce](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/workforce/) - [Incentives and Funding](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/incentives-and-funding/) - [Success Stories](https://ontarioeast.ca/success-stories/) - [Available Properties](https://ontarioeast.ca/available-properties/) - Show submenu for Key Employment Sectors Key Employment Sectors - Key Employment Sectors - [Key Employment Sectors](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/) - [Advanced Manufacturing](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/advanced-manufacturing/) - [Food and Beverage](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/food-and-beverage/) - [Logistics and Transportation](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/logistics-and-transportation/) - [Other](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/other/) - [FAQs](https://ontarioeast.ca/faqs/) - [News](https://ontarioeast.ca/news/) - [Events](https://ontarioeast.ca/events/) - Show submenu for Members Members - Members - [Members](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) - [Member Directory](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) - [Become a Member](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/become-a-member/) - [Membership Application Form](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/membership-application-form/) - [Regional Marketing Committee](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/regional-marketing-committee/) - [Jobs & RFPs](https://ontarioeast.ca/jobs-rfps/) - [Ontario East Municipal Conference](https://oemc.ca/) - [Contact Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/contact-us/) - [Contact Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/contact-us/) [Contact Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/contact-us/) Search ![Canada, Employment Ontario, Government of Ontario logos](https://ontarioeast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ontario-employment-logos.svg) This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. # We Need More Women in Manufacturing For Ontario East June 19, 2019 ![](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/helmet-1636345_1920-3.jpg?width=565&name=helmet-1636345_1920-3.jpg) Women account for 48% of the Canadian workforce, but only [28% of the manufacturing workforce](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/3-reasons-not-to-write-off-a-manufacturing-career). This job rate share hasn't changed for 30 years, according to Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters ([CME](https://cme-mec.ca/)). Attracting more women to manufacturing is critical for - the sector’s continued growth, - replacing the aging workforce (each day from 2011 to 2029, about 10,000 [Baby Boomers](https://www.thebalancecareers.com/retiring-boomers-affect-job-market-2071932) are expected to reach the retirement age of 65), - empowering women economically, and - empowering the economy. > Because well-educated, well-paid people put money back into the economy. Here are some ways you can [attract more women to manufacturing](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/how-to-take-an-experiential-learning-approach-to-manufacturing). ## Women in Manufacturing Begins at School with STEM STEM emphasizes the importance of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. ![null](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NVUiQ9tYWp1IzjJw_48AX8zxLJ7bIA1AeQNnYH1e3nD8xxT5UOvPBrdpv7ABaKBSCz5xPn8kumeHH7jFh3T51UgPRiPFLLojPzbOdy4mXnp_y7ESyher-WgYcoWG5cUTlFYaP8lr)[Manufacturing trends](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-trends-that-you-need-to-know) are all learning toward [technology, robotics, and automation](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/the-changing-landscape-of-ontario-manufacturing), and while there are many efforts to increase awareness about women in STEM, there is always more work to be done. You can speak with workforce development professionals about how you can help encourage more women in STEM. For example, you can open up your company to Girl Guides and female science student groups (from colleges and universities) to [show them what manufacturing is all about](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-in-popular-culture-is-everywhere). ## Women in Manufacturing: Supported by STEM One of the biggest complaints with STEM sectors is that, while women and girls are encouraged to enter these technological fields, once they’re there, they're not supported. Take the all-female spacewalk, for instance. It was cancelled because [NASA didn't have the proper sized suits for women](https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/26/nasa-cancels-all-female-spacewalk-because-it-didnt-have-enough-spacesuits-in-the-right-size/). So after you’ve done the good work of encouraging women in STEM in education, double down and create a more [inclusive work environment](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-in-popular-culture-is-everywhere). Mentorship, for example, benefits both parties and increases retention, promotion rates, and employee satisfaction. Retaining women in manufacturing means you’ll never get caught without the right sized suits! ## Creative Ways to Employ Women in Manufacturing Use creative ways to [promote work-life balance](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/what-does-canadas-labour-shortage-mean-for-young-job-seekers). For example, despite women being half the workforce, they are also more than [half of the family caretakers](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/women-are-working-more-th_b_9878996). Make life easier for people with families by considering providing daycare on-site. Shifts that coincide with school pick up and drop off support work-life balance. Or you can work with your municipality to implement active transit times that make it easier for parents coming off late-night shifts to use the bus to get home, so people who don't have cars can still have these jobs. ### Get More Ideas for Manufacturing Attraction and Retention  [![Career in Manufacturing E-book](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4499088/44e7a362-bb77-4245-8cbb-00a65861bcdb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4499088/44e7a362-bb77-4245-8cbb-00a65861bcdb) *External links are provided as informational resources only and are not necessarily endorsed by Ontario East.* **References:** [https://www.thebalancecareers.com/retiring-boomers-affect-job-market-2071932](https://www.thebalancecareers.com/retiring-boomers-affect-job-market-2071932) [https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/26/nasa-cancels-all-female-spacewalk-because-it-didnt-have-enough-spacesuits-in-the-right-size/](https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/26/nasa-cancels-all-female-spacewalk-because-it-didnt-have-enough-spacesuits-in-the-right-size/) [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/women-are-working-more-th\_b\_9878996](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/women-are-working-more-th_b_9878996)  ![Ontario East](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/Ontario%20Website%202021/Mask%20Group%20(11).png) ## Ontario East [For employers](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/tag/for-employers) - [![linkedin-1](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/linkedin-1.svg) Post](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontarioeast/) - [![square-x-twitter](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/square-x-twitter.svg) Post](https://x.com/OntarioEast) - [![facebook](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/facebook.svg) Share](https://www.facebook.com/Ontario.East/) - [![envelope-solid](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/envelope-solid.svg) Email](mailto:info@ontarioeast.ca) ## You Might Also Be Interested In ### [![](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/OYQiBpHYzJqBf5IisEaSly-h6kYnAXvsUa5Ldz9izTLj4c57nyBYKPXzrE89Atmc1j5VP97FtgEacnp4Q58iQyf830Xr0BcUAz0c2ZD8RwcaOM_7pmyPUCj8KT2VGVCKnaf7jaQX.jpg?height=485&name=OYQiBpHYzJqBf5IisEaSly-h6kYnAXvsUa5Ldz9izTLj4c57nyBYKPXzrE89Atmc1j5VP97FtgEacnp4Q58iQyf830Xr0BcUAz0c2ZD8RwcaOM_7pmyPUCj8KT2VGVCKnaf7jaQX.jpg) July 30, 2021 5 Tips for Working with Indigenous Peoples from Indigenous Women Read Now For employers](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/working-with-indigenous-peoples) ### [![](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/william-white-34988-unsplash-2.jpg?height=485&name=william-white-34988-unsplash-2.jpg) April 26, 2019 How to Optimize the Manufacturing Participation Rate Read Now For employers](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/how-to-optimize-the-manufacturing-participation-rate) ![](https://ontarioeast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mask-Group-4.svg) ## Subscribe to our eNewsletter ###### CONTACT US (613) 634-8569 623 Fortune Crescent, Suite 100 Kingston, ON K7P 0L5 [Email Us](mailto:info@ontarioeast.ca) ###### LINKS [Regional Profile](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/) [Available Properties](https://ontarioeast.ca/available-properties/) [Key Employment Sectors](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/) [FAQs](https://ontarioeast.ca/faqs/) [News](https://ontarioeast.ca/news/) [Jobs & RFPs](https://ontarioeast.ca/jobs-rfps/) [Members](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) [About Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/about-us/) [Events](https://ontarioeast.ca/events/) [Ontario East Municipal Conference](https://ontarioeast.ca/ontario-east-municipal-conference/) [Contact Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/contact-us/) ###### ZoomProspector [Admin Access Login](https://auth.zoomprospector.com/Account/Login?returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.zoomprospector.com%2FAccount%2FLoginCallback%3FreturnUrl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fadmin.zoomprospector.com%252F) © Ontario East Economic Development, 2026 Acme Co, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Terms and Privacy Policy](https://ontarioeast.ca/terms-and-privacy-policy/) ![Canada, Employment Ontario, Government of Ontario logos](https://ontarioeast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ontario-employment-logos.svg)