Thomas x WiM | Career Advancement For Manufacturing Annual Report
Nearly 75% Of Women in Manufacturing Recommend A Career in the Industry, A New Study From Xometry & Women In Manufacturing Finds
NEW YORK – Feb. 23, 2022 – Xometry’s Thomas division, a leader in product sourcing, supplier selection, and marketing solutions for industry, today released the results of its ‘Career Advancement for Manufacturing Annual Report,’ an annual research study conducted in partnership with the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM).
Based on responses from 663 industry professionals, the second-annual report unveils key insights into representation across industry; shares state- and sector-specific data, and highlights strategies for closing the gender gap in an effort to further diversify the manufacturing sector.
While men are more likely to actively seek out a career in manufacturing compared to their female counterparts (47%-30%), 75% of women in the industry are likely or very likely to recommend a career in manufacturing, the survey finds. STEM programs are the most effective pathway for women to enter the manufacturing industry, with 48% of women working in industrial careers identifying as having participated in one.
"Manufacturing is the foundation upon which tomorrow's products are built, and by embracing diversity and inclusion, we can create more entrepreneurial and professional opportunities for everyone to actively participate and thrive in the global economy," said Cathy Ma, Vice President of Platform Growth and Engagement at Thomas, a Xometry company. "This comprehensive study shows that an increased interest in manufacturing among women is very encouraging for the future of our industry."
Additional key findings include:
- Representation by Sector: The fields with the highest presence of women are Telecommunications (39%), Medical/Healthcare (38%), and Logistics/Shipping (38%).
- Geographic Representation: Alabama (40%) and Virginia (40%) have the highest presence of women in the manufacturing sector. Relatedly, Connecticut has the highest number of women leaders in industry (31%).
- Career Advancement Solutions: Women who responded say that leadership/management training (44%) and mentorships (35%) have had the most significant impact on their career advancement. However, only 20% of manufacturing companies report that they offer leadership training and only 13% offer mentorship programs.
"I can say with confidence that women and people from diverse backgrounds are shaping the future of our industry for the better," said Kathy Mayerhofer, Chief Sales Officer at Xometry. "It's essential for leaders — and everyone in the industry — to continue fueling this early momentum by investing in management training, mentorship, and STEM programs to inspire the next generation of great leaders."
Additional feedback from survey respondents reveals the unique ways in which companies are currently promoting industry advancement and diversity:
- “We have an initiative to increase our female population to 30% by 2030 and we also have sponsorship programs and mentor programs for females.” — Indiana-based general manufacturing professional
- “Our CHRO is very focused on increasing diversity within our teams. It is discussed at the C-suite level and is very much a part of day-to-day conversations, particularly as we recruit outside talent.” — Ohio-based multi-sector manufacturing professional
- “[We focus on] encouraging diverse panel interviews when recruiting.” — Connecticut-based multi-sector manufacturing professional
METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted online using Qualtrics. The survey examined 663 North American suppliers and industry professionals who work at companies with revenues spanning from less than $1 million to more than $1 billion. Click here to get a copy of the Career Advancement for Women in Manufacturing Annual Report.
About Xometry
Xometry (NASDAQ:XMTR) powers the industries of today and tomorrow by connecting the people with the big ideas to the manufacturers who can bring them to life. Xometry’s digital marketplace makes it easy for buyers at Fortune 1000 companies to tap into global manufacturing capacity while giving suppliers the critical resources they need to grow their business. Xometry is home to Thomas, a leader in product sourcing, supplier selection and marketing solutions for industry, and the popular Thomasnet.com platform.
About WiM
Women in Manufacturing® (WiM) is the only national trade association dedicated to providing year-round support to women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. At present, more than 11,000 individual members representing more than 2,000 manufacturing companies have joined our growing ranks of industry professionals. WiM encompasses manufacturers of all types and welcomes individuals from every job function – from production to the C-Suite. Membership is available to women and men working within the manufacturing sector. For more information, please contact Nicole Isenberg.