Driving Gender Equality In The Automotive Industry
Since its beginning, men have dominated the automotive industry. However, things are changing now. Women are joining the workforce in all segments- from the shopfloors to executive teams; they are pacing up the sector's development by working hand-in-hand with their male colleagues. Of late, there have been quite a few examples of a successful transition to an all-women crew in the automotive industry. However, increasing the ratio of women employees is necessary to improve gender equality and empower women in the automotive sector.
Automobile and Men
There is a general perception that men are overly attached and curious about their vehicles, and they would be the best to design and execute the manufacturing process. While men go gaga about their love for the automobile, women have veiled their passion for the vehicles due to social conditioning. They are expected to be passionate about other things. However, as we are moving ahead in the 21st century, women have started to express their love for cars and other automobiles. They are increasingly interested and willing in contributing to the development of vehicles of their choice. Another reason why the automotive sector was considered a 'Men Only' segment is the involvement of physical strength and endurance that is generally associated with men.
However, women are now increasingly finding opportunities in the job descriptions designed for men. Several factors, including increased adoption of technology avenues of education, learning and skill training and development, have helped create a reliable women workforce.
Technology adoption leads to increased participation of women
While women have been part of the sales and marketing teams of the automotive industry for quite some time now, shop-floor jobs were considered unsuitable for women. They had little or no representation in the design and manufacturing departments responsible for the mean machines. However, things have changed, and women perform factory-floor jobs with aplomb. In addition, they are increasingly involved and engaged in other crucial aspects of vehicle design and manufacturing. Technology has been a prime facilitator. With automation, women can take over jobs traditionally classified as men only. They operate these machines to manage extraneous jobs like panel pressing of sheet metals, welding and painting jobs.
Education: A key enabler
Women are increasingly opting for mechanical and automobile engineering courses in colleges that make them eligible for a role in the sector. Moreover, they have already been opting for AI, ML, Cloud and other emerging technologies that have an increasing demand in the industry. Women studying in several other streams are finding job opportunities in the sector. However, they are generally engaged in functions other than the core manufacturing and development. Highly qualified women are also sought by the automotive sector in leadership positions. Women with their intuitive capacities and abilities in fields like human resources add value to the organisations.
Skill training and development
Traditionally, organisations have included skill training and development programmes to retain talent. However, they are now engaging in skill development programmes beyond their organisation. Automobile giants have specific training centres where young girls and women can learn to operate specific instruments related to the industry. Women can learn to become automotive fitters and learn the assembly trade in these technical training institutes to become qualified for a job in the segment. More often than not, they get absorbed by the same organisation and have an opportunity to work. Furthermore, polytechnic institutes where industry-oriented skill training is imparted have witnessed an increase in the number of women students. Women trained from these institutes find opportunities in the automobile sector.
Automakers are pushing for diversification. They have launched specific programmes to tap talented women from other segments and they are making a conscious attempt to mitigate the gender gap to improve the ratio of women employees. To attract talented women they are offering equal pay opportunities. As the automotive industry is moving towards electric vehicles and connected cars, opportunities for women are growing by the day. With the increased participation of women, automakers aim to achieve a higher growth rate and reduce the gender imbalance.
