Digital transformation reshaping opportunities for women in manufacturing, Made Smarter Yorkshire insights show

To mark International Women’s Day 2026 (IWD26), Made Smarter Yorkshire, the government-backed technology and skills adoption programme, gathered perspectives from 10 women working from shop floor to boardroom across the region, spanning sectors including engineering, energy, textiles, technology and traditional craft manufacturing.

While women still account for only around a quarter of the UK manufacturing workforce, according to research, voices from across Yorkshire suggest change inside many businesses may be moving faster than national figures currently reflect, offering a snapshot of wider change taking place across UK manufacturing.

For many respondents, the most profound shift in recent decades has been technological.

Sarah Brown, General Manager of Hull-based manufacturer Solutions Are Looming, started her career as a labourer 25 years ago before progressing through procurement and departmental management into senior leadership. She believes digital technology has fundamentally changed both expectations and opportunities in manufacturing.

“Back then, manufacturing work was widely seen as physically demanding manual labour,” she said. “While that’s still true in some areas, technology has transformed the sector. The programming of machines, automation systems and digital tools are shifting the focus from physical strength to technical, problem-solving work, opening up the industry to a much wider range of people.”

“It also helps close the gap between a factory and an office. Data capture and analysis bridge what used to be very clear levels of working. Compared to when I entered the industry, the opportunities are far greater thanks to technology.”

That view is echoed by Fiona Conor, CEO of Leeds-based Trust Electric Heating, who argues that digital integration has strengthened both operational clarity and leadership confidence.

“As we’ve modernised our factory, integrated digital systems and embraced data, I’ve seen how technology removes guesswork and empowers decision-making,” she said. “Digital tools bring transparency, and transparency builds confidence.”

For Conor, modern manufacturing is far removed from outdated stereotypes.

“It’s not just production lines. It’s research and development, sustainability, artificial intelligence integration, digital optimisation and export growth.”

Bryony Richardson, Founder of clothing manufacturer Palava, based in Northallerton, says access to digital frameworks has increased confidence in growing a values-led manufacturing business.

“Programmes like Made Smarter, and the growing focus on digital tools and smarter production, have helped level the playing field, particularly for smaller businesses and for people who haven’t come through traditional routes,” she said. “Having access to support, shared language and clear frameworks has increased my confidence when navigating how to grow our manufacturing unit.”

Anna Buckley, Co-founder of Mindful Memorials, a fourth-generation stonemason business based in East Yorkshire, sees digital tools as enabling innovation within traditional craft.

“Technology and smarter systems have opened up enormous opportunities. They’ve given confidence to innovate and modernise traditional industries, while still honouring craftsmanship.”

Respondents also described clear cultural improvements compared with 15 or 20 years ago.

Leila Graham, Drive Test Operative at Techbuyer in Harrogate, has seen a noticeable shift during her 16 years in the industry.

“Back then, I saw unconscious and conscious bias all the time,” she said. “There was little to no female representation, and I often felt judged on my gender before my attributes. Today, a lot of that has changed. Women are being offered the same opportunities and considered for the same roles as their male peers.”

Brown agrees that representation has strengthened and become far more visible.

“I’ve seen more women in director roles, on the shop floor and in engineering positions, which is great to see.”

Conor believes greater visibility of female leadership is also helping shift perceptions.

“When women see other women leading successful manufacturing businesses, it normalises ambition and shows what’s possible.”

The insights also highlight the importance of leadership development in accelerating progress.

Brown says leadership training has played an important role in building confidence and capability in modern manufacturing environments.

“Completing leadership and coaching qualifications deepened my self-awareness and emotional intelligence,” she said. “Organisations at every level would benefit from embedding these principles into leadership development.”

At Trust Electric Heating, Conor embeds coaching and development across the business.

“Skills development and technology have absolutely strengthened my confidence as a leader,” she said. “Leading a manufacturing business isn’t just about product knowledge. It’s about resilience, communication and long-term vision.”

Pipeline and perception remain key barriers

Despite visible progress, school-level perception and skills shortages emerged as recurring concerns.

“I think to attract and retain more women, employers need to work more closely with teenage girls in schools,” said Amanda Johnston, Associate Director of Innovation at Sheffield Hallam University and a board member of Made Smarter Yorkshire. “From around the age of 10 onwards there can be a strong perception that STEM subjects are for boys. Changing that narrative earlier could make a real difference.”

Brown believes careers guidance still has work to do.

“Manufacturing is often positioned as a secondary option to academic routes, yet many people thrive in hands-on, practical environments.”

Richardson argues perception remains one of the biggest barriers.

“Manufacturing is often presented as old-fashioned or undesirable, when in reality it is creative, technical and highly skilled. To attract and retain more women we need to show the full spectrum of roles available.”

Conor agrees clearer messaging is needed.

“Manufacturing today is creative, innovative and technological, but that isn’t always how it is presented to young people. It’s not just production lines, it is research and development, sustainability, artificial intelligence integration, digital optimisation and export growth.”

Trust Electric Heating is addressing this through its work with Garforth Academy, offering mentoring, careers talks, work placements and T Level engagement to give students a clearer view of modern manufacturing careers.

Olivia Hullah, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Trust Electric Heating, regularly supports these activities, which have also strengthened her confidence as a leader.

“Younger professionals speaking to students is powerful,” she said. “Pupils relate more easily to someone closer to their own age, which helps the pathway feel realistic and achievable.”

These experiences reflect wider trends emerging across the region’s manufacturing base.

Jessica Armitage, Programme Manager for Made Smarter Yorkshire, said the insights mirror patterns the programme is seeing across its work with manufacturers.

“Over the past few years we’ve worked with hundreds of manufacturers across Yorkshire, and we’re seeing more women stepping into technical, leadership and innovation roles as businesses adopt digital technologies,” she said.

“We’re seeing strong representation from women on both our Leadership and Digital Champions programmes, which are helping drive cultural change inside businesses.

“And initiatives like the Digital Internship programme are opening doors for the next generation. We’ve seen real impact from young women stepping into manufacturing environments and applying digital, data and technology skills in real-world settings, showing just how creative, innovative and technology-driven modern manufacturing has become.”

madesmarter.uk/Yorkshire