Titans strengthen opportunities for women in manufacturing

The Gold Coast Titans NRL Women’s team is backing a mentoring program run by Ai Group to support women in Queensland’s manufacturing industry. 

The Women in Manufacturing Mentoring Program, a joint initiative with the Queensland Government, helps young women in school and new entrants to manufacturing build confidence, develop their careers and expand their networks.  

Eligible applicants are matched with an industry mentor who will support and guide them towards achieving their career goals. 

The program was established as part of the Government’s Women in Manufacturing Strategy, launched in March to attract and retain women in the industry. 

Ai Group Acting Queensland Head Dean Deighton said it was important women knew there was support available to help them find their path into manufacturing.  

“Mentoring is a proven strategy to improve attraction and retention rates,” Mr Deighton said. 

“A career in manufacturing doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be a welder on the factory floor, although that is one option open to women.  

“It could be anything in a vast array of careers that include jobs such as a logistics coordinator, a production supervisor, a CNC machinist, a supply chain manager – the list is almost endless.” 

Just 11 per cent of workers on the tools in Queensland are women. 

“We can do better than this,” Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher, pictured with Titans teammates, said. 

“A partnership with the Titans Women’s rugby league team makes sense.  

“This is a fantastic opportunity to share lessons from succeeding in traditionally male-dominated fields.” 

Titans player and apprenticeship advocate Emily Bass said it was a privilege to use her role to support Queensland women looking to progress their careers through apprenticeships. 

“Women’s professional sport is rapidly growing and it’s exciting that we’re able to use our story and platform to inspire others to tackle the many opportunities available through manufacturing,” she added. 

Queensland’s manufacturing sector contributes $20 billion a year to the economy and employs about 180,000 Queenslanders.  

Click here to find out more about the Queensland Women in Manufacturing Mentoring Program.

Many mentors say the satisfaction they get from ‘paying it forward’ is highly rewarding and they often report higher job satisfaction, improved coaching skills and increased performance.