How can manufacturers tackle skill shortages, strengthen talent pipelines, and build a safer, more productive workplace – all at once? Manufacturing Skills Queensland’s new Workplace Gender Diversity Assessment (WGDA) – developed by leadership and inclusion consultant Teagan Dowler – gives manufacturers clear and practical insights to do just that…
The WGDA was developed as a complementary initiative to the Women in Trades Manufacturing Project, following extensive consultation with industry stakeholders.
One of the key insights from this engagement was the recognition that physical workplace environments often lack the basic facilities and inclusive design needed to support women—particularly apprentices—on the shop floor. The WGDA was created to help manufacturers identify and address these barriers, and to foster welcoming, inclusive environments where all employees can thrive.
Tool development
“The tool’s content came about following years of first-hand experience within the operational environments of heavy vehicles, mining and construction spaces – specifically – my wanting to enhance women’s experiences in these blue-collar environments; comprehensive literature reviews, and qualitative research (interviews) into gender diversity,” Teagan said, of assembling the Workplace Gender Diversity Assessment (WGDA).
Teagan, a leadership, diversity and inclusion consultant with more than 15 years’ experience and published author (‘Rules of the Game – Women in the Masculine Industries’), was engaged by Manufacturing Skills Queensland to develop the free tool to help employers take actionable steps towards a more gender diverse workforce.
WGDA focus
The overall goal of the WGDA is to help manufacturing employers attract, develop and retain women in the workplace by providing a tailored report for that employer, using their (the employer’s) responses to thirty-five questions, across 10 different focus areas.
A critical focus of the WGDA is the physical environment—ensuring that workplaces are not only equitable in policy but also in practice, with appropriate facilities and inclusive design that support women’s participation and retention.
The report features a ‘diversity score’ – indicative of where the employer is on the maturity curve (ranging from ‘Beginner’ to ‘Disruptor’) and then comprehensive recommendations, strategies, and videos detailing how they can advance to the next stage of workplace gender diversity – i.e. improve their ‘score’.
Early feedback on the WGDA
Elizabeth Moore, HR WHS Advisor with lift and automated guided vehicle attachment manufacturing company, Cascade Australia, was one of the first to complete the WGDA, and offered the following: “As a HR professional, I found the online tool incredibly insightful. I’m looking forward to sharing the results with our leadership team and collaborating on new strategies to enhance gender diversity within our organisation.”
Matt Gray, General Manager at Mayneline Joinery shared a similar sentiment, following his experience: “Completing the online tool is a game-changer for us. It was incredibly simple to use and truly opened our eyes to innovative ideas for enhancing gender diversity in our business. We’re excited to implement these insights and make a meaningful impact!”
With the tool living up to its purpose, Kris McCue, Manufacturing Skills Queensland CEO, offered: “We want to ensure that women entering trades feel supported from day one. The WGDA is a practical, no-cost way for employers to start meaningful conversations and take action to create inclusive, safe, and productive workplaces.”
Beyond ‘fairness’
“Over and above it being ‘just’ and ‘fair’, the business case for attracting more women to the workforce (manufacturing or otherwise) is unequivocally strong,” Teagan advised.
“We know from research that having a gender diverse work culture produces a safer work place (i.e. reduced risk taking, and greater likelihood of correctly following procedures); a more mentally healthy work environment, with higher levels of self-reported well-being; these things ensure you can attract top talent, which drives innovation, and ultimately this leads to better financial performance – which at the end of the day – is the goal of most businesses,” offered Teagan.
Manufacturers don’t have to navigate this journey alone. The WGDA is designed as a first step, and Manufacturing Skills Queensland is here to support employers every step of the way—from assessment to action. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive manufacturing industry.
If you’d like to assess and subsequently improve gender diversity within your workforce, visit https://msq.org.au/resources/workplace-gender-diversity-assessment/ to learn more, participate and do your part in getting more women into manufacturing careers.