Attracting more women to manufacturing

A Central Coast program aimed at encouraging more women into the advanced manufacturing sector is one of 10 initiatives nationwide to share $9.5M in the second tranche of the Federal Government’s Building Women’s Careers Program.

The ManufactHER program will transform the NSW Central Coast’s advanced manufacturing sector by addressing barriers to women’s participation.

Led by Central Coast Group Training (CCGT) in collaboration with Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC), Coast and Country Primary Care (CCPC), Protective Fencing, and five pre-committed manufacturers, it will pilot flexible roles, inclusive recruitment and leadership pathways.

Six more manufacturers will join after initial success.

Leveraging local partnerships, ManufactHER provides tailored support, boosts women’s skilled participation, improves workplace culture and fosters sustainable inclusion, creating a scalable model for gender equity and potential national rollout.

“Manufacturing is a critical industry for the Central Coast, contributing $4.1B annually to our regional economy, yet women make up only 29% of the workforce,” CCGT General Manager Alison Cook said.

“This funding will enable us to work closely with industry partners to implement real, lasting change, creating pathways for women to thrive in the sector.”

Through collaboration with TAFE NSW, ManufactHER will also provide pre-employment pathways, leadership training, and a dedicated Resource Hub offering support for emotional, physical, and mental well-being.

Businesses will receive guidance on embedding gender inclusive policies to drive workplace improvements and increase retention.

“The data is clear: companies with diverse leadership and inclusive policies achieve higher retention, innovation, and productivity,” Executive Director of CCIC Frank Sammut said.

“ManufactHER will set a benchmark for gender equity in advanced manufacturing, complementing initiatives like the Women in Manufacturing Network and the Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub, and strengthening the region’s position as a manufacturing leader.”

The program will launch in April 2025, with six manufacturing businesses piloting it.

The Building Women’s Careers Program was announced in the last Federal budget as part of the Government’s $22.7B Future Made in Australia package.

Stream two builds on 10 industry-led projects announced in tranche one.

All 20 projects are being delivered in partnership to address the barriers for women entering, remaining and advancing in the traditionally male-dominated industries of construction, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital and technology.

Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said boosting women’s participation in the workforce is fundamental to addressing skills shortages.

“We are taking the important first steps to create new pathways for women to enter traditionally male-dominated industries and make industry workplaces safer and more equitable,” he said.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, and (these projects) focus on driving community engagement, reaching women at a grassroots level.”

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said projects such as these would also help to narrow the gender pay gap and boost critical workforces.

“The Albanese Government will always focus on improving women’s economic opportunity, whether it’s funding programs like this, delivering tax cuts that are fairer for women or putting in place reforms to help close the gender pay gap,” she said.

Women make up less than 8% of all female apprentices in male-dominated trades and fewer than one third of apprentices in all trades are women.

Free TAFE has seen a 118% increase in female employees in male-dominated industries with more than six in 10 places being taken up by women.