WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING
Leading women in manufacturing careers by Annamarie Reyes
Former Minister for Industry Science & Technology and now Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, with engineers.
The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre's research shows that Australia is not taking full advantage of the industry’s potential and that is the full participation of the female labour force in the manufacturing sector. The study indicates that one of the key factors contributing to low participation of females in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) is a lack of representation of female leads in STEM as well as awareness of the many opportunities manufacturing has to offer. Managing Director for AMGC, Dr Jens Goennemann says we need to celebrate a number of leading women who challenge the myth that a career choice in manufacturing isn’t for women. “Australian manufacturing is the engine room of advancement underpinning our moves from a lucky country to a smart country and women must play a bigger role,” says Dr Goennemann. Similar findings are echoed in a body of research from a federal government policy titled, Advancing Women in STEM
APRIL / MAY 2021
strategy championed by Former Minister for Industry Science & Technology and now Home Affairs, Karen Andrews MP. Ms Andrews remembers a time when she and another Karen were the first women to graduate in Mechanical Engineering from QUT. “Today things are different - girls and women are now taking their rightful place in all sorts of university courses and
and girls through the theme “Choose to Challenge” from International Women’s Day, to highlight views about STEM careers and the many exciting pathways it offers. One of these leading women in manufacturing is Dr Alex Birrell, who was behind the increased promotion and distribution of the modern powered respirators.
"If you care you become a better employee because you problem-solve." professions and I want to see more of it. "I am passionate about seeing more women taking on STEM careers and working in manufacturing. Increasing women’s participation in STEM is not only important for women - it is vital for strengthening our economy and creating jobs we need for the future.” The AMGC encourages women
As CEO of her company CleanSpace Technology they are making sure that a technology is created which can be made even more efficient, safe and sustainable in respirators. Ms Birrell explains respiratory health is an area of manufacturing which continues to grow and her company is looking forward to contribute to core protection,
compliance, and sustainability for the environment. “I think all of us are now more aware about being environmentally conscious where we can act local while thinking global. We are becoming aware of the impact on our environment of the use of consumables adding to an enormous amount of waste. So we developed our system as a reusable system to be able to cut down on waste." Their company’s modern respirators are reusable, have miniature motors and fans within, which creates a positive clean air pressure around the mask area, preventing contamination. During school years Dr Birrell enjoyed the science and maths in STEM, because it was a logical area of study. She believes women and girls are very good systemthinkers. “My message to many girls is to always keep an open mind and look around you for all the various industries and what it can offer by way of future careers. I loved nature as a child and was also encouraged to explore in my thinking.
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