Driving Change: Leading Manufacturer on Why Women in STEM Are Key to Achieving Net Zero

In the new MSP White Paper: ‘Women in Manufacturing: State of the Industry 2023‘, the manufacturer analyzed recent data and firmly concluded that empowering women in STEM industries will be critical to driving the change needed to combat climate change and achieve a sustainable future.

White Paper data revealed that in 2021, less than 1% of hires involved green jobs, with projections indicating that demand for green skills will far outstrip supply over the next five years – creating an urgent need to act on green job opportunities .

Andrew Durdey, Director of Sales and Marketing at MSPsaid: “At MSP, we have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and innovation and have worked hard to encourage more sustainable practices across the manufacturing industry over the years.”

“As manufacturers, we recognize the critical role we play in the transition to a low-carbon economy, and our new White Paper has highlighted the important role that women’s voices and contributions will play in addressing the complex challenges that this sustainable transition will have. .”

As a traditionally male-dominated industry, MSP warns that the corresponding green jobs that will be created from the global transition and the associated demand for green knowledge and skills will have the potential to further perpetuate the gender imbalance and create missed opportunities for women. women at work.

Analysis of the MSP White Paper already indicated a large gender divide in the visibility of green job opportunities, with recent data revealing that 47% of women are unsure of how to acquire green skills compared to 33% of men, while 44% of women don’t know what green skills employers need compared to 38% of men.

Andrew continued: “Without critical and effective action, women in the industry will be significantly less prepared to act on increasing green opportunities, and this will only serve to widen existing gender gaps in the workforce.”

“It will also cause the manufacturing sector to miss the opportunity to promote an inclusive gender transition towards a sustainable, inclusive and innovative future.”

Recognizing the lack of sustainability as a serious issue, the manufacturer committed to supplying electricity only from 100% renewable sources, and in 2022, MSP invested in its MSBees program, hosting a beehive at its headquarters in Worcestershire .

MSP is also setting an example for the manufacturing industry by providing green skills initiatives for all team members, including Carbon Literacy Training, in line with its culture of continuous improvement and inclusion.

Andrew commented, “Providing access to training for all team members can help facilitate the transition to a greener future, as well as motivate and engage all employees so they can improve their own understanding and ability to act on future green opportunities.” .

With more work to be done across the manufacturing sector to prepare for the advancement of green jobs, MSP is advising companies to provide education and upskilling opportunities, invest in learning and training initiatives, and promote clear signage and visibility of available resources and future uses.

Andrew advised: “The transition to net zero represents a significant opportunity for our industry to redesign processes and the labor market, optimize flexible work opportunities, remove existing barriers and eliminate biases towards women.”