Stacey Noronha | October 28th, 2024
Manufacturing is at the heart of Canada’s economy, employing about 1.7 million people nationwide. It’s a sector essential to many aspects of our daily lives. But it faces a significant challenge: a shrinking, aging workforce. The solution to this growing labour shortage could lie in an untapped resource – women.
Women currently make up nearly half of Canada’s overall workforce, but in manufacturing, they account for only 28%. Industries like forestry, utilities, and transportation have seen small percentage increases since 2020. Yet for over three decades, the percentage of women in manufacturing has remained stagnant, even as other industries have seen improvements in female participation. This statistic is more than just a number – it’s a reflection of the barriers that have held women back from thriving in an industry full of potential.
“And yet, if there’s one thing we know at Build a Dream, it’s that barriers can be broken.”
Let’s take a moment to talk manufacturing. When you hear the word, what image comes to mind? For many, the image is outdated – assembly lines, heavy machinery, and long hours in physically demanding conditions. Odds are also high that the image you have in your mind is probably also one of a male.
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the Novelis manufacturing facility in Kingston, Ontario, and it was a game changer. From their state-of-the-art equipment to their commitment to sustainability, it was clear that manufacturing today is driven by innovation. The processes I witnessed were not only incredibly advanced but also environmentally conscious, with a focus on reducing waste.
Manufacturing today is high-tech, pioneering, and constantly evolving. It is where cutting-edge technologies are designed, created and refined. It’s where the products that shape our everyday lives are born, from smartphones and electric cars to sustainable packaging and medical equipment. And the jobs? They’re high-value, high-paying, and highly skilled.
Despite the growing opportunities in this sector, women remain underrepresented, and for many, manufacturing doesn’t feel like a viable career option. This is where things need to change – because when women join the manufacturing workforce, they bring new perspectives, ideas, and energy. Companies become stronger, more innovative, and more resilient.

“The real question we should be asking is: why aren’t there more women in manufacturing?”
One major reason is visibility. Young women have a hard time imagining themselves in a space like manufacturing when they don’t see someone who looks like them thriving. Outdated perceptions of what manufacturing is today, and the kinds of jobs that exist, are a few of the other hurdles that we see. Women are often pushed away before they’ve even considered it as an option, by the view that manufacturing is an industry where only males find success.
Then there’s the issue of education. Too often young girls aren’t encouraged to pursue subjects like STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) which are critical for careers in manufacturing. Without early exposure to these fields, many girls lose the opportunity to explore jobs and career pathways that could be the perfect fit.
But it’s about more than just about getting women in the door. It’s about creating inclusive workplaces that retain the women that do cross the threshold. Things like flexible working hours, mentorship opportunities, and a commitment to work-life balance make a huge difference in the retention of women in the workforce. Businesses that prioritize inclusivity do more than benefit their employees – they benefit their bottom line. Diverse teams make better decisions and find more creative solutions to challenges.
That’s where Build a Dream comes in. Through our career expos, skill-building workshops, and mentorship programs, we work to change perceptions and open doors. Our career support initiatives and networking programs connect young women with employers who are eager to diversify their workforce and provide them with the tools they need to explore and succeed in these careers.
As we continue to forge a path for women across Canada it’s great to know that we are not alone. The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) are also making strides to shift the landscape. They’ve launched the Women in Manufacturing initiative with a bold goal: to increase the number of women in the sector by 100,000 by 2030. If they succeed, women will hold 600,000 jobs in manufacturing by the end of the decade, an increase of 8% over today’s numbers. It’s an ambitious target, but one that will make a profound impact in a sector that has the potential to both grow and lead in innovation, sustainability, and efficiency.
The journey ahead is exciting, and alongside partners like the CME, we at Build a Dream are proud to be part of it. The future of manufacturing is bright and with more women stepping into the field it’s about to get a whole lot brighter.