Women have entered and conquered many industries in the past few decades, so why not metal fabrication? See how Canadian industries are breaking the barriers for women in metal fabrication. Now women can pursue careers in this traditionally male-dominated industry.
Let us see in this guide how women are breaking barriers in the Canadian industry, especially in metal fabrication.
Table of Contents
Women and Metal Fabrication: Is Involvement Increasing?
Whenever you are calling for a welder, machinist or press brake operator, you must picture a male, right? But nowadays, these are not just about males and females, these are about the industries that are increasing their involvement of women in metal fabrication.
While the industry is still male-dominated but the increased involvement can be seen. The involvement of women in metal fabrication and manufacturing is increasing, though it still represents a minority of the workforce. Women are making inroads and finding success in various metal fabrication roles.
Not only are women a great fit for welding and several other metal fabrication careers, but they may also have several benefits, including:
- Work/Life Balance
Many women drop the idea of a job because of the work/life balance. Work/life balance is an important factor for males and females. The manufacturing industry is a time-consuming industry with long hours of working and focus, which can exhaust people.
Not anymore because many companies offer a unique work model where advanced tools make this possible to promote work/life balance. The long hours and odd shifts used to make it impossible for some people to work in this industry, but those were the days. Today, the latest technologies and tools are making it easier and flexible to work.
Custom metal fabrication can ease certain aspects of manufacturing by offering tailored solutions, flexibility for unique designs, and optimised production processes.
- Diversity Initiatives
Innovation and creativity are enhanced with diverse mindsets. For diverse mindsets and better initiatives, companies do hire and promote people from diverse backgrounds. By focusing on creating inclusive workplaces, companies in the metal fabrication industry can attract and retain a wider range of talent, foster innovation, and improve overall performance.
Implementation of strategies like inclusive hiring practices, promoting a supportive culture, and providing equal opportunities for all employees has been promoted in various industries.
- Clean and Safe Working Conditions
Many individuals have misconceptions about safety and cleanliness in the manufacturing industry. Modern facilities in several companies have made it possible to offer well-cleaned, climate-controlled working environments and state-of-the-art air filtration systems. All these facilities have made it extremely clean and comfortable for the employees to work there, no matter the climate outside, the inner environment will be much more comfortable to work in.
Cranes and lift-assist technicians help comply with standards and eliminate heavy lifting. Proactive measures like routine equipment maintenance, safety training and safety audits help ensure the company is doing good and all can achieve zero recordable injuries.
Several companies promote training programs in which comprehensive safety training is provided to all employees. This training helps cover safe work practices, proper use of equipment, handling of hazardous materials, emergency procedures, and the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Designing workspaces and tasks to minimise the risk of ergonomic injuries, such as strains and sprains, through proper posture, lifting techniques, and workstation design is promoted in manufacturing industries.
- Hand Stability
Hand stability is a major factor in metal fabrication and welding. Maintaining a steady hand ensures consistent weld quality, prevents defects, and improves overall efficiency. Shaky hands can lead to a variety of issues, including inconsistent welds, spatter, and even structural weaknesses.
The required skills for welding and metal fabrication make women ideal for the job because women inherently have greater hand stability and dexterity. Women are in high demand in those industries where precision and fine motor skills are required, including metal fabrication.
These skills are effective in achieving intricate designs and highly detailed requirements of precision metal fabrication. Women who enjoy art, handiwork and design may find this job opportunity amazing. High precision tolerance is required in welding, assembling or painting custom metal fabrication pieces.
This industry is open to all who enjoy creative tasks and work well with intricate designs. As women, if you are also interested in these activities, you must not avoid this opportunity. Metal fabrication companies in Toronto do promote and include women in their teams for fine art, better motor skills and complicated and intricate designs.