Manufacturing has long held a reputation as a career pathway predominantly
for men. While this stereotype still
holds true in certain aspects, women according
to a Forbes report are “chipping at the glass ceiling.” Indeed, there is
increasing presence and influence of women in manufacturing which is “helping
fill a critical skills gap shortage.” These shifting parameters have permitted
women to emerge as leaders in manufacturing and also get recognized for their
contribution in changing the DNA structure of a future workforce.
Of note is the Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead Award program.
The Award recognizes women, across the nation, for their contributions towards excellence
in manufacturing education and training. The STEP Ahead initiative was
conceived to promote and recognize the role women have demonstrated in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Production excellence in the manufacturing industry
through Recognition, Research, and Education/Leadership. In addition to
recognizing women in manufacturing, the STEP Ahead initiative also empowers
woman in manufacturing to continue to develop their own leadership and that of
the next generation.
This year the Institute recognized a select few under the
“emerging leaders category” which represents accomplished young women who are
the future of the industry. Of the 130 women who were recognized and honored at
this year’s STEP Ahead Award ceremony, 10 honorees were from Florida. Many of these
women work for companies that work closely with FLATE. We congratulate all the
130 women, particularly the 10 from Florida who received this special
recognition from the Manufacturing Institute in Washington, D.C. in March.
2015 STEP Ahead awardees from Florida
were:
Last
year out of a total of 160 honorees nationwide, 19 women from 12 Florida-based
companies received the STEP Ahead award. In 2013—the inaugural year for the Award—10
of the 122 honorees were from Florida. “FLATE
congratulates all the women receiving this award,” said Dr. Marilyn Barger,
executive director of FLATE. The Florida-based NSF ATE Center of Excellence will
continue to promote the STEP Ahead award program in Florida. “These Awardees serve
as strong role models who can inspire younger generation of women and girls to
become pioneers in STEM and manufacturing” Barger said.
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