- Sirisha believes that awareness about the manufacturing industry should begin early in schools with the uniform implementation of STEM education
- A safe work environment & gender-inclusive hiring policies can go a long way to defy gender bias and workplace sexism, expresses faith in government’s initiatives targeted at training & upskilling women
With a Master’s degree in VLSI Design from Manipal University and over 16 years of experience in the aerospace and automotive industry, Sirisha A has proven her worth in the manufacturing sector by winning admiration and accolades. Currently, she is heading the Industrial Engineering & New Product Launch at Continental Automotive India’s Bangalore plant. Sirisha is responsible for developing concepts for manufacturing and product launches, capacity planning, and defining the technology road map for the plant.
Bunking Myths to Address the Deep Rot in Industry
Sirisha agrees that “traditionally, manufacturing has been considered a ‘male domain’.” There is a general notion that physical strength is crucial in manufacturing industry, even in today’s scenario where technology has restructured the work environment to introduce convenience and precision. The prevalent belief that women were are not inclined towards engineering has ironically made women shrink away from joining the sector.”
Sirisha is also is of the opinion that many women female students also drop out opt out of the course midway since they are required to focus on due to family or other domestic issues. However, Sirisha feels that this situation, has witnessed an change enormous shift with increase in family support, implementation of clear HR policies and with expansion of amenities at work place. along with introduction of policies.
Manufacturing becoming place of choice for women
Sirisha believes that there are initial challenges in the beginning in any sector could be unnerving. Similarly working in manufacturing also brings is no different since the industry is ripe with challenges like fixed timing, shift specific timing at the shop floor, etc. There is a requirement of colossal adaptation in the workers’ personal life as well. “In the earlier years, the availability distribution of amenities were less which multiplied the difficulties for women to manage and carry out job duties.” Unlike the bygone eras, today, with the mandate from the government, manufacturing is also slowly becoming a place of choice actively nurturing a favourable workplace environment for women,” she added.
Although a rigid, patriarchal system was followed for several years, and few men industry honchos still might initially not hesitate to accept women as their supervisors or peers, Sirisha believes that we are walking towards a better horizon. She is an ardent believer that if organizations incorporate the right kind of diversity initiatives at each level, creation of gender-inclusive policies and mushrooming of a diverse workplace will be feasible.
Sensitization sessions are critical for removing unconscious biases
“A stereotype is a perception just because someone thinks that is the way it should be. We need more women in the workforce – that’s a fact. The change needs to start at the school level”. She asserts that STEM education is critical for both genders, from school. Girls should be encouraged to participate in sports, stage performance, public speaking, etc., from the school level.
There are several companies taking initiatives to promote workforce diversity in the manufacturing sector. “At Continental, we have a clear focus and targets for creating gender inclusive manufacturing ecosystem.” She adds that across all their plants, they have women employees hired for a wide spectrum of job roles, and positioned in different levels of leadership.
She is of the firm belief that “as long as we are ourselves and do our work with three things in mind– pure intention, respect for everyone and selfless service, we can support the organization and our people in the right way.” Gender bias can be overcome by providing a safe work environment and by hiring more & more women in the leadership roles. We can overcome gender bias by providing a supportive and safe work environment and by construing hiring policies that offer women opportunities to grow in leadership roles. Companies should embrace workplace diversity.
Sirisha is optimistic about exploring the vast talent pool which comprises women. This section of women can contribute largely to the company’s competitiveness. It is about time that companies rethink their strategies to develop appropriate and innovative ways include to workplace diversity. As per LinkedIn’s report, there was a 37 percent increase in female representation in the workforce during the pandemic. A part of this progress should be attributed to the manufacturing companies that are taking initiatives and promoting workforce diversity”, affirms Sirisha . The fact that women’s engagement in manufacturing industry has grown by 4 percent is reflected at Continental too, where women employees are shaping India’s manufacturing boom by working at the entry levels to the leadership roles.” To further the representation of women in leadership roles, Continental has initiated the WE- Lead program, which is a customized development program for grooming mid-level women leaders.
Manufacturing has unbolted plethora of jobs for women
Sirisha is happy that in an attempt to increase opportunities, the government is taking initiatives for both men and women in manufacturing sector. Make in India and Skill India which aim to make India a global manufacturing hub, create jobs and promote entrepreneurship within the country, have tremendous potential to inflict growth.
WOMANUFACTURING CONFERENCE 2021
Sirisha talks about government’s Dena Shakti Scheme that encourages more participation from women in the manufacturing business and free online, structured training programs from SWAYAM – NPTEL on manufacturing topics as useful resources for beginners to prepare themselves for new opportunities. “Mentoring and educating girls, exposing them to different possibilities and removing cultural barriers are all critical to ensuring higher participation of women in the workforce”, reiterates Sirisha. “I would say there are so many possibilities and opportunities for women in the manufacturing sectors on different levels be it production, IT & Software, Sales, HR, supply chain management, engineering areas, etc., and today women are ready to take up the challenges and build their career in this industry.”
As an experienced professional in manufacturing, Sirisha says that the recent trends suggest more women participating in the growing technology sector in India. A study by AspiringMinds analyses that female students in both engineering and non-engineering disciplines consistently report being more confident, competitive with male peers and acknowledged by industry personnel. From Ayyalasomayajula Lalitha, India’s first female engineer, to Rajeshwari Chatterjee, Kalpana Chawla, and Priya Balasubramaniam, women have indeed shown their prowess in India’s promising engineering ecosystem.
Machine Maker celebrating Woman in Indian Manufacturing is coming out with incredible stories of #Womanufactuirng. If you would like to recommend anyone among you to be featured write to us at info@themachinemaker.com
