International Women’s Day: 60% believe gender diversity is still an issue in the industrial sector

Despite campaigning for gender parity for more than 100 years, research shows that 60% of managers within the industrial sector believe their industry still struggles with a lack of gender diversity.

The research, which comes from multi-discipline recruitment experts Search Consultancy was conducted with 1,000 managers and asked respondents to rate how they believed their industry compared against a range of diversity markers.

The full list, from most to least diverse in terms in gender representation, is:

o   Legal – 40%

o   Hospitality – 44%

o   Marketing – 49%

o   Sales – 50%

o   Scientific – 52%

o   Engineering & manufacturing – 52%

o   Logistics – 53%

o   Call & contact centre –  54%

o   Accountancy & finance – 55%

o   Business support – 56%

o   Social work – 56%

o   Healthcare – 57%

o   Financial services – 59%

o   HR – 59%

o   Industrial – 60%

o   Transportation – 63%

o   Construction – 68%

The research also looks into racial and age diversity within businesses across the sectors. 73% of managers in the industrial  sector believe their business lacked racial diversity with 35% admitting age diversity was an issue.

56% of managers also believe a more diverse workforce would help resolve the skills shortage in the industrial sector.

Erin Vickers, director of talent and engagement at Search Consultancy, said: “Although research shows that 77% of managers in the industrial  sector believe their industry is suffering from a skills shortage, little is being done to encourage a more diverse workforce and consequently widen the talent pool available.

“The benefits of having a diverse team are endless. Looking outside of the typical candidate demographic can help resolve the skills shortage, create a better understanding of customers and significantly improve employer brand. Now more than ever, it is time to encourage increased diversity in the workplace and help businesses grow following a very difficult 12 months.”

To read more about diversity in your sector and how it can help resolve the skills shortage, read Search Consultancy’s latest report, here: https://bit.ly/3c5gPVx