Opportunities for Women in Manpower Jobs
SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 BY ADMIN 

Manpower jobs for women offer an abundance of opportunities that until very recently have been reserved for their male counterparts. Even in today’s changing world, women lack the opportunities that have long been available to men. This is even more so in the case of traditionally male dominated industries.

But while at a glance, it seems that women are only just starting to catch up, the number of women who find work in industries such as mining, agriculture and engineering has been steadily growing for many years.
What opportunities are found for women in manpower jobs, and what are some of the obstacles that still need to be overcome in this often challenging sector?

The Importance of Manpower Jobs for Women
Women contribute significantly towards the growth of economies across Africa and on a global scale, but despite this contribution, there is still much stigma about women working in roles that are typically seen as being better suited to men. Despite this misconception, women are starting to make plenty of headway in some of the nation’s toughest industries, showing that there are indeed a number of opportunities to be found in almost every sector. Below we share some insight into three of the biggest manpower sectors:

• Mining
  Just 25 years ago, women were prohibited from working certain jobs underground. Then, the mining charter was put into play, stating that 10% of the total workforce was required to be comprised of female workers. Today, thousands of women are choosing to venture into mining as a career, working across multiple roles ranging from support services on surface to underground machine operations. In areas close to mining sites, including Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo, women have more exposure to the opportunities found in this sector, while urban women have less exposure. Female mining ministers in government who often appear on TV are also paving the way for a new generation of role models, while the vast number of job opportunities is also proving to attract female workers.

• Agriculture
  Current numbers state that the ratio of female farm workers to male workers in Sub-Saharan Africa s roughly 50%. But despite this, a study by WorldBank.org reveals that women have a production yield between 13% and 25% less than male workers. The primary reason for this is that in the case of small scale farming, women have a far lower level of access to resources, including land, equipment, training, fertiliser and even markets. To help level the playing field, there are many organisations that are working to provide women with the resources required to increase their yields. Agricultural companies are also providing women with better training opportunities, while resources are becoming more widely accessible for young women who show potential for this industry.

• Engineering
  Engineering jobs for women are showing a definite trend for growth, with plenty of initiatives in place to promote science based fields to young females from as early as primary and high school levels. While this industry is still dominated by male workers, many women are choosing to enter the field to take advantage of the relatively high pay grade, exciting diversity of positions and the chance to contribute towards change. Maths and science skill development aside, other initiatives include breaking down the gender bias and misconceptions about the industry. Popular jobs for women in this sector include civil, structural, chemical and even automotive engineering positions along with related jobs such as draughting and administrative positions.

As the gender gaps continue to close, and more organisations work towards assisting female workers to expand their potential, the next few years should prove even more notable in regards to manpower jobs for women.