Championing women driving change in the manufacturing industry
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is crucial to recognise the vital contributions of women in manufacturing and the efforts around accelerating women’s equality in our region. Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes this day impactful.
Manufacturing has long been a male-dominated field, but change is happening. Right here on the Sunshine Coast, we’re leading the way and breaking barriers. Our sector is home to a growing community of talented women who are driving innovation, efficiency and leadership.
There are still challenges, such as gender biases, limited opportunities for career progression and the underrepresentation of women in senior leadership roles continue to challenge the industry, so addressing these isn’t just about fairness, but strengthening the sector as a whole by unlocking the full potential of a diverse workforce.
The Manufacturing Excellence Forum has in place the Advancing Women in Manufacturing, Leadership Program, dedicated to championing incredible women driving change in the manufacturing industry. The program aims at supporting and empowering others to follow their lead, feel inspired to break barriers, redefine success and shape the future of manufacturing.
The initiatives in place are:
Leadership workshop, where participants gain a practical six-step leadership toolkit to build self-awareness, foster trust, navigate change, spark innovation, lead boldly, and drive meaningful results. The next one will take place on the 3rd of April. You don’t want to miss it!
Mentoring sessions, designed to empower and support emerging female leaders through one-on-one online and in-person meetings, gaining valuable insights, guidance, and encouragement from experienced professionals who are passionate about fostering growth and leadership.
Masterclass on ‘Negotiate your Wealth’, which helps articulate the value and confidence of the participant, overcome barriers and negotiate with clarity and confidence.
Workshop and masterclass on ‘Connection not competition: a new paradigm for women’s success’, where participants will discover how meaningful relationships and collective advocacy can propel women to greater success.
Meet the female makers - Networking session, a joint collaboration between MEF, the Food and Agricultural Network (FAN), and the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network (SCBWN), which celebrates the incredible women driving innovation and success in the food and agribusiness sector.
The goal is clear: to create tangible opportunities for women to succeed and ensure that the future of manufacturing is built on equality and innovation.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience, talent, and leadership of women in manufacturing. More importantly, we commit to continuing the work that will make the industry stronger, more inclusive, and truly representative of the community it serves.
If you’re a woman in manufacturing on the Sunshine Coast looking to connect, grow, and lead, we invite you to join us. Together, we can shape the future of the industry.
