In the 1940s, Rosie the Riveter\u2019s iconic character captured America\u2019s attention when recruiting female workers into manufacturing fields. As men left the labor force en masse to enlist in WWII, women were asked to put traditional gender roles aside to fulfill their patriotic duty \u2014 as they were called to work fabricating on the floors of defense industries to aid wartime efforts.<\/p>\n
A symbol of working women everywhere during this time, Rosie the Riveter was ubiquitous \u2014 appearing in articles, magazine artwork by Norman Rockwell in\u00a0The Saturday Evening Post<\/em>, even showing up in several propaganda posters and popular songs (History.com Editors, 2021).<\/p>\n So, what happened to the prominence of promoting women to<\/strong><\/em> produce?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n According to research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women only account for 29.5% of manufacturing workers (2020), and the low number of women in the workforce isn\u2019t for lack of openings available.<\/p>\n By 2030, 4.6 million manufacturing jobs are projected to emerge within the industry. However, with baby boomer retirements on the rise, there are only 2.4 million skilled workers qualified for the vacant positions \u2014 leaving 2.2 million well-paying manufacturing jobs in limbo. (Bishop Wisecarver, 2020, 02:41-02:55).<\/p>\n Now, as women account for approximately half of the national workforce, they are more than ever being urged to consider manufacturing careers<\/a> as worthwhile options of opportunity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Creative careers for Connecticut women\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In Connecticut alone, the Department of Labor estimated 161,400 available manufacturing jobs by 2024 (Schmidt, 2017).<\/p>\n \u201cAmerican manufacturing has got to be at the core of what we do,\u201d U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty declared during an annual Women in Manufacturing Summit. \u201c[Manufacturing] has been the core of Connecticut\u2019s strength for centuries, but it needs to be a part of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n With modern manufacturing no longer the dark, dirty, unsafe assembly lines that many perceive, the myths surrounding the manufacturing field have undergone a significant shift.<\/p>\n Once synonymous with brute strength, the industrial sector has since been replaced with safe, sanitized environments, modern machinery, and accomplished employees with specialized skillsets and advanced, technology-driven careers.<\/p>\n \u201cManufacturing is about making things, designing things, and getting them to work better,\u201d U.S. Representative Esty reminded female fabricators.<\/p>\n \u201cThe problems you address, the approaches you take\u2026 [and] identifying potential solutions come from who you are, where you come from, and what you bring to the table, and that [perspective] is different for women\u201d (Schmidt, 2017).<\/p>\n As a way to ease the immense gender disparity in the industry, manufacturers must make an effort to ensure women workers are adequately represented \u2014 reminding women that being born to build is not just for the boys and that the world of manufacturing isn\u2019t just for men.<\/p>\n In fact, manufacturing is an expansive field where women can easily find their fit<\/a> \u2014 from analytical brains to creative minds and process-oriented people. A profession of pride and purpose, from perception to prototype to product, manufacturing uses technology to create something tangible, and the state-of-the-art field holds power to make a distinct difference in our everyday lives.<\/p>\n Preparing students for flourishing STEM success\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n To strengthen the sector and ultimately get more girls and women excited about the endless opportunities in manufacturing, the solution can be found through education \u2014 empowering students to craft with curiosity and expand their specialized skillsets.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen are significantly underrepresented in the manufacturing industry, and we are committed to changing that dynamic,\u201d Melanie Hoben, Director of Workforce Development at Goodwin University, specified.<\/p>\n To get students interested in professional manufacturing possibilities, the University provides middle and high schoolers the unique chance to earn up to 37 college credits through its\u00a0Early College Advanced Manufacturing Pathway<\/a> (ECAMP\u2122) program.<\/p>\n Goodwin\u2019s innovative career-focused institution also offers University students several modern manufacturing prospects. Those enrolled can earn an accelerated certificate in\u00a0CNC Machining, Metrology, and Manufacturing Technology<\/a>, as well as certificates in\u00a0CNC Machining<\/a>,\u00a0Mechatronics<\/a>, and\u00a0Welding<\/a>.<\/p>\n Students can also obtain their associate degree in\u00a0CNC Machining<\/a>,\u00a0Quality Management Systems<\/a>, or their bachelor\u2019s degree in\u00a0Manufacturing Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen can do this job, too,\u201d Amanda Sullivan, AS in Quality Management Systems graduate, assured. \u201cI\u2019m constantly doing new things, and, at the end of the day, it\u2019s rewarding to look at all I\u2019ve accomplished.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Manufacturing] is not<\/em> just for men,\u201d Yesenia Otero, graduate of BS in Manufacturing Management, added. \u201cWomen are capable of having physical jobs too\u2026[and] Goodwin prepared me for a position in this field.\u201d<\/p>\n Kiley Russell, a graduate of Goodwin\u2019s accelerated CNC certificate program, also credited Goodwin with her professional success. \u201cThis program provided an unbelievable timeline. Nowhere else could I earn a certificate in only six months and come out with a career.\u201d<\/p>\n A Quality Lab Technician\u2019s testimonial\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Taylor Perry, a Quality Lab Technician<\/a> at Goodwin University\u2019s School of Business, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing, got her introduction to the industry after joining her father at a \u201cbring your daughter to work day.\u201d She later followed in her father\u2019s footsteps and went to school for advanced manufacturing and CNC machining.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy looking for new ways to think outside the box and solve problems hands-on,\u201d Taylor explained.<\/p>\n \u201cUsually, when women think about manufacturing, they think about dingy shop floors with heavy machinery, but it\u2019s not like that anymore. The shops here are spotless with high-tech equipment. And, if machining isn\u2019t something you\u2019re interested in, the quality side of manufacturing gives women the chance to work in a lab with high-powered microscopes, and coordinate measurement machines, she clarified.<\/p>\n \u201cIn manufacturing, there are many different routes women can take that lead to fulfilling, rewarding careers.\u201d<\/p>\n The sky\u2019s the limit for female learners\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Erin Batrna, a 2020 graduate of Goodwin\u2019s CNC machining certificate program, also finds the advanced manufacturing sector professionally satisfying.<\/p>\n \u201cOut of high school, I wasn\u2019t completely sure what I wanted to do with my life,\u201d Erin admitted. \u201cWhen looking for what I wanted to do next, I knew I always enjoyed creating things, and I knew I wanted a career with great job security.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, Erin has secured a position as a quality inspector for a local aerospace manufacturer. Along with a few of her classmates, Erin was hired for her manufacturing position before she even graduated from Goodwin\u2019s CNC program.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the CNC program, I learned the machining side of things, and instructors also educated us on engineering, management, and quality,\u201d Erin described. \u201cThrough the courses, I discovered my interest in quality control, specifically inspection. I find it rewarding that I get to inspect and measure parts that go into jet engines and planes!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe manufacturing field really surprised me with how fulfilling it can be,\u201d she disclosed.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t realize how many doors would open for me, or that there are a variety of interesting jobs with so many ways to grow. I love being a significant step in the creation of parts that help put aircrafts into the air.\u201d<\/p>\n As a young woman using her education from Goodwin as a foundation for flight, \u201cDon\u2019t ever feel out of place,\u201d Erin advised women interested in the manufacturing industry.<\/p>\n \u201cBe confident and believe in yourself. If you can relate to feeling lost when trying to find a career, trust that behind one of these doors, there is an opportunity for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Interested in learning more about Goodwin\u2019s manufacturing programs? References <\/u><\/p>\n BishopWisecarver. (2020, October 2). Discussing the Myths vs. Realities of Manufacturing by Pamela Kan, President of Bishop-Wisecarver<\/em> [Video]. YouTube. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Vljt9E_udFo<\/a><\/p>\n Employed persons by detailed industry, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity<\/em>. (2021, January 22). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/cps\/cpsaat18.htm<\/a><\/p>\n History.com Editors. (2021, February 9). Rosie the Riveter<\/em>. HISTORY. https:\/\/www.history.com\/topics\/world-war-ii\/rosie-the-riveter<\/a><\/p>\n Schmidt, C. (2017, September 15). Hartford Conference Emphasizes Importance of Women in Manufacturing<\/em>. Hartford Courant. https:\/\/www.courant.com\/community\/hartford\/hc-news-women-in-manufacturing-summit-esty-20170915-story.html<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\n<\/em><\/strong>Visit: www.goodwin.edu\/manufacturing<\/a>. \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n