The New Face of Manufacturing: DEI at Work

Small Business Commitment

Before joining SME as Head of Membership in November 2021, I reviewed the SME Board photo and bio. It was important to me to join an organization that reflected the community I served.

I was pleased to learn that our Board members include a wide variety of manufacturing occupations, skills, ages, genders, cultures and ethnicities. Having a diverse board and leadership team shows that the organization welcomes a variety of experiences. Sharing and honoring those experiences can lead to effective solutions, especially in the manufacturing industry where products are created and used around the world for people’s daily lives.

Additionally, SMEs support efforts to create space for underrepresented groups to reach the manufacturing table.

the right thing

There have been positive changes related to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in manufacturing. The pandemic has accelerated some of these changes. However, as perceptions of the manufacturing industry evolve to attract and retain a talented workforce, it is imperative that social pressures keep DEI from becoming a passing fad.

You need DEI because it’s the right thing to do, it grows, it evolves, it’s part of your business. Foster innovation and grow the manufacturing ecosystem, from large industrial manufacturing companies, to small and medium-sized businesses committed to adopting the latest smart technologies, to companies paving the way to prosperity through workforce development initiatives. Firmly support.

Diversification of manufacturing at all levels is necessary to address the pervasive shortage of skilled workers, stimulate professional relevance, and innovate to better serve the end-users of manufactured products. am.

In November, I presented the 2023 Membership Strategy to the SME Board and SME Member Council, a member-led leadership group that helps lead member engagement efforts for SME’s volunteer networks. I believe that SMEs will bring together the largest and most engaged community of members representing all voices in the manufacturing industry and make concerted efforts to increase the number and points of engagement of women, minorities, and other emerging professionals. shared my vision. Continuous and consistent improvement is required to make a significant impact in this area. We increase the value of everything we do as we expand our reach to underrepresented communities. We are proud of our efforts in this area.

Recent efforts

In May, SME and Women in 3D Printing (Wi3DP) joined forces to attract and build a diverse next generation workforce to advance the additive manufacturing industry. The collaboration includes the co-production of the Technology, Industry, People, and Economy (TIPE) conference, featuring an all-female line-up of speakers and panelists. This year’s virtual global TIPE event will take place January 24-26 at his ‘Wi3DPShowcase’ at her RAPID+TCT in Chicago in May. This important showcase extends her TIPE value with an in-person experience. Additionally, the collaboration will provide the NextGen Mentorship Pilot and her co-authored Diversity for Additive Manufacturing 2023 Annual Report.

Tooling U-SME, the workforce development arm of SME, provides versatile learning and development solutions for the manufacturing ecosystem. Tooling U-SME continues to highlight national workforce development programs that provide employees with manufacturing career his paths while helping employers build a coveted talent pipeline .

One exciting program is the Uniquely Aled Academy at Rhodes State University in Lima, Ohio. Founded in California by Ivan Rosenberg, he is the first university in Ohio to be uniquely affiliated with Aled Academy. A program in Rhodes puts highly functioning people with autism into high-paying manufacturing jobs. This nontraditional program helps build the manufacturing workforce to meet Ohio’s workforce needs. Graduates are eligible for several entry-level jobs, including machine trainees, machinist apprentices, CNC operators, and CNC programmers. Part of the curriculum was provided by Tooling U-SME.

The SME Education Foundation continues to strengthen its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by increasing programming opportunities for underrepresented students in communities across the country. The Foundation seeks to dramatically increase the number of scholarships it issues each year to minorities and to women pursuing careers in manufacturing and engineering. To this end, in 2021, a new Her DEI Scholarship was established with her $2 million donation from the Foundation Board. Additionally, her $2 million has been raised from private companies for the program. The goal is to achieve racial and gender parity within the Foundation’s scholarship programs by 2025.

The Foundation’s DEI initiative also includes partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as well as industry and student organizations focused on women and minorities.

As part of a greater membership diversity strategy, SME has expanded its partnership with Women in Manufacturing (WiM) to run two virtual career fairs this year. The first fair was held on her February 9th. Recent ability to promote reciprocal membership opportunities and promote each other’s programs and events.

In addition, the SME Member Council established the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Group to promote initiatives that support and support the growth of underrepresented groups within SME membership, particularly women and minorities. One of the Task Group’s initiatives includes a pilot program that he will launch at HBCUs and Hispanic serving institutions later this year. It focuses on leadership development and opening pathways and access for students to integrate into the larger coalition.

As an organization, SME will continue to prioritize diversifying services to reach a wider audience. I encourage organizations to personally commit to increasing diversity within their spheres of influence and embrace a culture of inclusion. Our collective efforts will improve and benefit the manufacturing community.

What is DEI

The term Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or DEI for short, has become ubiquitous across U.S. companies and around the world in recent years as competition for top talent intensifies.

But what exactly does DEI mean? why is that important? And how are manufacturers implementing their own strategies for success?

The new Inclusive Insights section, published bi-monthly in Manufacturing Engineering, highlights various industry initiatives and future challenges and opportunities.

Let’s start with a basic definition. DEI encompasses policies and practices designed to help people of all backgrounds feel welcome and help them reach their full potential. The meaning of the three components is:

• Diversity refers to the existence of differences within the workplace such as ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age and socioeconomic background.
• Equity is the act of ensuring that processes and programs are fair and equitable and provide equally possible outcomes for all.
• Inclusion is the practice of making people feel a sense of belonging in the workplace.

Together, they can deliver real and lasting benefits to employees, employers, and society at large. The goal is to create a more level playing field while offering diverse experiences and opinions to improve the overall team environment.

Much progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go and there is much for all of us to learn. Small businesses are no exception. As leading advocates for manufacturers, SMEs are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within our own operations as well as across the industry (see accompanying story). We look forward to continuing our journey and sharing others’ successes in future issues.

—Senior Editor Steve Plum