Manufacturing offers fewest opportunities for female executives

The manufacturing sector is among the worst in Canada at providing opportunities for women to advance, according to a new survey by Randstad Canada.

The poll of 500 female managers and executives found that only 1 per cent said the manufacturing sector was likely to provide opportunities. Manufacturing was ranked lowest on the list, followed by transportation and logistics (2 per cent), oil and gas (3 per cent) and engineering and construction (6 per cent.)

The study found that the Canadian industries with the best opportunities for female executives still remain within the “traditional” fields, including health care, education and the not-for-profit sector.

Molly Huber, vice president, Western Region, Randstad Technologies, said in a statement she is not surprised by the list of industries that present the greatest opportunities for women to advance into the executive ranks over the next three to five years.

“Women have traditionally led in fields like education but their dominance in fields such as business, finance and professional services comes as no surprise. Even in fields they do not currently dominate, it is undeniable that women are making significant strides in what are typically considered male-driven job markets,” she adds.

Huber added that many organizations, from all industries, still need to work harder to improve gender diversity at the executive level. “Companies need to do more to advance female talent by providing leadership training, mentoring and coaching, and creating opportunities for women with leadership potential to progress from more junior roles.”