Driving diversity and inclusion: Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete calls for action

Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete, Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy, presented key messages from a new report “The Women in UK Manufacturing 2024: Addressing Labour Shortages and Bridging the Gender Gap” during the keynote address at the recent Women in Manufacturing Conference.

Changing Perceptions, the flagship event for the Women in Manufacturing UK (WiM UK) initiative, was held on 19 September at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. Co-organised by Innovate UK Business Connect and High-Value Manufacturing Catapult, the event brought together over 160 delegates to discuss gender diversity and inclusion in the manufacturing sector.

Jennifer was accompanied by co-author Zoi Roupakia from the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM)’s University Commercialisation and Innovation Policy Evidence Unit, as they delivered their keynote address, focusing on the main messages of the report. They highlighted the slow progress of women’s representation in manufacturing, focussing on two of the most pressing challenges: labour shortages and gender disparity.

The keynote began with an annual review of progress and setbacks, emphasising the need for change. Informed by case studies showcasing best practices from manufacturing organisations, they presented principles and recommendations for building a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The address ended with a call to action, inviting all manufacturing organisations to engage with the principles.

The keynote set the tone for a day dedicated to challenging existing perceptions and creating pathways for greater inclusivity in manufacturing. The delegates enjoyed further discussions and panel talks led by industry experts, aiming to drive tangible change and prioritise diversity and inclusion in manufacturing organisations.

“The challenges of labour shortages and gender disparity in UK manufacturing are clear, but so are the opportunities. At the Women in Manufacturing conference, we laid out actionable steps to not only address these gaps but to transform how we think about diversity in our industry. It’s time for every organisation to engage, innovate, and commit to creating a more inclusive and dynamic workforce.”

 

Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete.

Women in Manufacturing UK initiative

WiM UK was established in 2022 and is led by a dedicated network of academics, practitioners, and industry professionals. It’s mission is to offer networking opportunities, peer support, thought leadership, industry expertise, and policy advocacy to create a more inclusive manufacturing landscape.

A central strand of Jennifer’s work is her focus on addressing the problem of women’s underrepresentation in industry. She has been pivotal to the development of WiM UK, securing funding to support a panel discussion and policy brief that drove early interest and momentum in the initiative. Since then, WiM UK has grown and is beginning to make a real impact. The levels of engagement and enthusiasm at the recent conference is testament to the need for change and WiM UK is already successfully raising awareness of women-specific obstacles in the manufacturing industry.

Abigail Hird, Founder and director, Defankle: “Being in a room full of people who share a passion for inclusive innovation is a buzz. The work the IfM, HVMC and Innovate UK have done to formalise the Women in Manufacturing community is phenomenal.”

The Women in Manufacturing report, which is set to become an annual update on inclusion and diversity, supports WiM UK in its mission by providing essential data and recommendations for action. These act as catalysts for organisations to develop truly gender-responsive industrial strategies and guide them through their diversity and inclusion journey.