- The gender gap in core manufacturing is still a reality, women in manufacturing have to overcome unseen barriers and prejudices
- There is a significant change in the policies, and an inclusive workforce is promoted now with most of the companies have stated policies employing women
- Your domain knowledge & expertise can overcome reservations set by some in the industry towards women in the manufacturing
The fourth industrial revolution is underway and manufacturing is becoming more and more automated and digitalized. This is a great time to be in manufacturing. If you are interested in the field, go for it. Develop deep expertise in whatever area you choose. Be confident and learn to assert your rights. Do not take a backseat because you are a woman. At the same time, don’t over-burden yourself or feel guilty about your familial responsibilities. Be comfortable with who you are!
Sujata Tilak is an established women entrepreneur, Managing Director of Pune based Ascent Intellimation Pvt Ltd, and also the District Vice President of International Society of Automation (ISA) District 14 which consists of India, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. She is also the Director of ISA Smart Manufacturing & IIoT Division, an initiative co-founded by herself to promote automation in manufacturing. She is very much vocal about women taking active roles in the manufacturing sector, and she spoke as much to Machine Maker in an exclusive interview.
Women in Manufacturing Sector: Domain Knowledge & Leadership
“Diversity and inclusion are very important in any sector to get different viewpoints and perspectives in the workplace and manufacturing is no exception”, says Sujata Tilak. She adds that it is a well-known fact that the percentage of women in manufacturing and related fields is very less compared to some other sectors like BFSI or IT. But there is a significant change in the policies of manufacturing companies. Most of them now have stated policies to include women in their workforce.
“But policies are just the start, it is people who have to imbibe them in spirit and act accordingly. And there are all kinds of people everywhere and old habits die hard! So, we have some way to go, but I have myself seen changes in the last 10 years in this aspect”, adds Sujata Tilak.
Ascent Intellimation founded by Sujata helps customers in their Industry 4.0 initiatives by providing IIoT platform PlantConnect and various solutions around it. The majority of their customers are from the manufacturing sector. “Overall, the journey of leading Ascent Intellimation is very interesting, challenging and satisfying!”, said Ms Tilak. When their platform was launched in 2012, IIoT was a very new concept and Sujata and her team have spent a lot of time and energy evangelizing about IIoT.
She adds, “We faced many challenges like any other startup and a few were related to being a woman entrepreneur. Just to give one typical experience which I went through several times; if I went for a customer meeting along with a male colleague, customers used to address my colleague during technical and/or commercial discussions. You have to get over such reservations by showing your knowledge and leadership abilities!”
Time & Technology: Women in Manufacturing
Technology has made a huge difference in all sectors. In manufacturing, it has manifested in more automation, digitalization and introduction of robotics among others. Thus, menial work has reduced. Operating machines need more brainpower than muscle power now. “All this is helpful for women to get into core manufacturing jobs”, comments Ms Tilak.
Sujata says that the gender gap in core manufacturing is still a reality. It is a complex issue and there are various reasons for it. Diversity and inclusion policies help to an extent. But freedom and a conducive atmosphere are very important to choose any career. It starts with breaking the stereotypes at home, in schools and colleges, in social settings. Women in this field have to overcome some unseen barriers and prejudices.
“I have personal experience that people don’t take you seriously in the beginning and have doubts about your ability to handle the work. Be confident in your technical and managerial abilities. Let your work speak for itself. Don’t shy away from taking on challenging tasks and also from taking credit for the work you have accomplished. At the same time, don’t over-burden yourself or feel guilty about your familial responsibilities. Be comfortable with who you are!”
Professional Environment is Competitive: Women should Lead
Once you reach a certain level, your talent and competencies are already proven. What propels you further is your vision, leadership, confidence, risk appetite and ambition. “I think women are a little conservative in the department of risk appetite and ambition. But with the right mix of capabilities, confidence and connections, women can break the glass ceiling. Today business environment is very competitive and there can be no concessions for women when they take leadership positions. They have to lead from the front.”
The most important change required is to recognize that women (and men too) have to do the extremely important task of raising the next generation and to set policies such that this can co-exist with the work demands. Once this is accepted, then industries can come up with various facilities like maternity and paternity leave, flexible working, crèche on-premises, accepting women back after break etc. One serious fallout of not recognizing this is young men and women deciding against having children. This will have a devastating impact on society in the next few decades. So, this is an urgent issue.
Then there is the area of safety and wellbeing of all employees and not just women. This can be a bit more complex for manufacturing due to plant locations, working timings etc. “In AIPL, we look after all our employees and encourage work-life balance. Specifically, for women, we welcome women who have had to take an extended break for raising a family. Anyone with a small child can do flexible hours”, adds Sujata Tilak.
An influencer in Smart Manufacturing: Leading ISA Globally
Before taking up the role as District VP of the International Society of Automation (ISA) District 14, Sujata was a DVP-elect for 2 years. That time helped her to understand the responsibilities, prove her capabilities and get to know leaders. “I am getting very good cooperation from section leaders and district team. We are undertaking many new initiatives and also continuing work that was already started. In next 2 years, ISA will have much more recognition in India”, adds Ms Tilak.
“I am also leading ISA Smart manufacturing and IIoT Division at the global level. This is a new division that I co-founded. Again, that’s a very challenging work to decide focus and direction for the division and start activities that provide value to ISA members. Our vision is to become an Influencer in Smart Manufacturing!”
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
