UP, Manufacturing Institute Team to Shrink Workforce Gender Gap
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive EditorUnion Pacific (UP) and the Manufacturing Institute (MI) are partnering for three years on a new initiative to encourage more women and young people to pursue industry careers.
A $3 million grant from UP will support the “Careers on Track” workforce development program, incorporating a digital STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum, a virtual 3D-mapping STEM experience, and a STEM micro-grant program for women. MI—a nonprofit and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers—will also launch a digital campaign “to bring awareness to the workforce gender gap and inspire the next generation of workers.” It will leverage its existing programs, such as Heroes MAKE America, the STEP Women’s Initiative and a youth engagement platform.
According to MI, “Careers on Track” will “serve as a national model on how to empower and inspire women and youth, particularly girls, to explore modern career paths by changing the perception of what an industry career means in 2021 and beyond, as well as help women build networks and develop skills that help them excel personally and professionally.”
“There are nearly 500,000 job openings right now in manufacturing and millions more expected over the next decade, and closing the gender gap is a critical part of meeting this incredible need,” MI Executive Director Carolyn Lee said.
“We have a unique opportunity to address today’s workforce crisis head-on,” UP Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer Beth Whited said. “At Union Pacific, our goal is to double the number of women in our workforce within the next 10 years, and this partnership with the MI is a crucial step toward that goal.”
UP supports many organizations through its Community Ties Giving Program, whose “workforce development efforts focus on putting youth on the right track, raising awareness of middle skills jobs like those offered by Union Pacific, and educating and preparing young adults for career readiness.”
