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In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Jeffrey Wilson explore the evolving dynamics of gender participation in traditionally male-dominated industries like construction, mining, and manufacturing.

Contrary to conventional narratives, new research reveals these sectors are leading the way in closing the gender participation gap, driven by automation, safety improvements, and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. These changes are not only making workplaces safer and more inclusive but also enabling older women to remain in the workforce longer, challenging outdated assumptions about physical labor and gender roles.

In this fascinating conversation, Louise and Jeffrey cover:

  • Gender participation trends in industrial sectors
  • Impact of automation and Industry 4.0 on workforce diversity
  • Modular housing 
  • Strategic Examination of R&D and funding challenges
  • Importance of process innovation vs. product innovation
  • Regulatory inefficiencies and the need for a single economic market

 

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Louise McGrath

In her role as Australian Industry Group’s Head of Industry Development and Policy Louise provides strategic leadership and guidance for Australian Industry Group’s policy agenda in building competitive industries through global integration, infrastructure development and innovation. She ensures that through policy leadership members have a voice at all levels of government, by representing and promoting their interests on current and emerging issues.

Louise represents Australian Industry in several multilateral forums, such as the B20 Taskforces, Global Business Coalition, and the East Asia Business Council working group on RCEP. She advocates for the interests of Australian Industry Group members during Free Trade Negotiations and translates those agreements to support the strategic aims of members. She is a member of CSIRO’s Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Think Tank and the Manufacturing Advisory Group, the NESP Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub and the Advisory Group of The Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS).

Louise has studied a Bachelor of Arts (Arabic Language and Culture) at Deakin University and an Advanced Diploma in International Trade at RMIT. She has also studied Arabic at universities in Jordan and Egypt.

    Dr Jeffrey Wilson

    Jeffrey Wilson is Head of Research and Economics at Australian Industry Group.

    He leads our economics team and provides strategic direction in developing the research program to support our advocacy, service delivery and policy activities.

    Dr Wilson specialises in international economic policy, with a focus on how trade and investment shape the Australian business environment.

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