The fabs, facilities and semiconductor manufacturing industry driving the world’s greatest technological innovations face a dire issue of closing the talent gap. The need to hire thousands of engineers and technicians represents a pertinent opportunity for women to fill these roles and for companies to narrow the pervasive gender gap. According to the US Census Bureau in 2022, women made up about 47% of the American workforce, but of the 15.8 million people employed in manufacturing industries, only 30% were women.
At JST, we value growing a diverse team with more women who bring different strengths and skillsets to our projects. Women bring strong precision and multitasking capabilities that attribute to the overall success of projects, and by filling more manufacturing and STEM-related roles with women, we are upleveling the skillset of the overall team. By 2027, we strive to grow the representation of women on our team from 12.5% to 20%.
“Quality is our formula,” said Marci Welshimer, HR Manager at JST. “We also recognize that having a balanced, diverse and equitable workforce is part of that formula. Bringing a range of perspectives and skills to our table doesn’t just strengthen the integrity of our workforce, but the quality of our product.”
Improving the Candidate Pool and Taking Action
Breaking through the barriers in manufacturing can feel like an uphill battle; however, fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace can lead to greater innovation, a sense of belonging and employee success. Companies that make long-term investments and take action toward increasing the small candidate pool to a large, in-depth candidate pool with more women will have a more sustainable impact on the industry. Nevertheless, it is important to flag that when it comes to taking action, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Rather, it’s asking the question, “What size fits us?” that allows a company to impact and improve the candidate pool.
Companies with varying financial budgets and time constraints may have different approaches. For example, a larger company with 200 employees might be able to finance and donate a cash prize to a local coding competition, whereas smaller companies may need to find other creative ways to support local outreach efforts.
Inclusive Experiences and Connections
We believe that bridging the gender gap can be achieved through supporting mentorship opportunities and providing accessibility to the tools women need to thrive.
In March, we sponsored and participated in the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance’s EmpowerHER luncheon and panel discussion, an event celebrating the achievements, resilience and future of women shaping the manufacturing industry. It included women in all roles within the manufacturing industry: engineers, technicians, managers, executives, entrepreneurs, talent specialists and students looking to enter the field.
The event provided a platform for women to come together and share ways they overcome hurdles and achieve success within the industry. The luncheon provided a space for women to discover and learn actionable strategies to advance their careers and thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Whether through mentorship, attending industry events, or investing in training courses, attendees learned about essential tools to shape their careers.
More Ways to Make a Difference
A way to attract and retain more women in STEM fields is by engaging with the Women of Fab Owner’s Alliance and the Society of Women in Engineering’s local chapters to reach key stakeholders and thought leaders within the industry who are eager to make a difference.
In the past, we’ve donated to clubs and programs – like robotics competitions – that inspire women interested in STEM fields. We also offer a tuition reimbursement program, giving all our employees the opportunity to take courses or training to support their development and career paths at JST.
Getting involved in different stages of the STEM education journey pursuit is another way to attract more women in STEM fields. Some examples include spending an hour a week as a mentor to a student who wants to learn how to code robots, connecting with students over coffee to review their resumes, or fundraising for a local STEM program.
Closing the Talent Gap by Bolstering Women’s Growth, Innovation and Success
We are honored to be part of a community that celebrates and supports women in manufacturing. Forging partnerships that center around inclusive experiences, connections and community is a valuable step toward attracting and retaining women within the manufacturing industry. It’s critical that we continue the conversation together and find ways to build a sustainable pipeline of qualified women candidates while also empowering women with insights and resources that truly foster growth, innovation and success. Through collaboration and action, we can help close the talent gap within the manufacturing industry.
