OTTAWA, Nov. 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) launched the We Can Do It! campaign, which aims to increase female representation in manufacturing by 100,000 in 5 years. 

Through the campaign, Manufacturers to become champions and  pledge their company's commitment to help increase the number of women in the workplace, share success stories or, become sponsors of the initiative. Show support on social media by taking selfies "posing like Rosie" and share with the hashtags #WeCanDoIt! and #NextGenRosie. 

"If you can see me, you can be me," said Rhonda Barnet, President & COO of Steelworks Design and face of the initiative. "By sharing the stories of successful women in today's manufacturing world we hope to encourage mentorship, and to help change the image of manufacturing for women and girls to inspire them to pursue a career in the sector. Together We Can Do It!"

To further support the women in manufacturing initiative, CME and Fiera Foods also proudly announced the recipients of the 2018 Women in Manufacturing Scholarship at this year's annual Manufacturing Conference.

This year's recipients are: Valerie Yeo of Ontario, Madison Griemann of Saskatchewan, Sarah Harris of Manitoba, and Tanya Spence of Ontario. Each woman was flown in to Ottawa to receive their award at CME's Annual General Meeting and Manufacturing Conference, where Carmela Serebryany, President of Upper Crust presented each winner with their $4,000 scholarship.

"This manufacturing scholarship is just the first step in beginning to bridge the gender gap in the industry. We need to celebrate the success of women in manufacturing, so that the next wave can see the high value opportunities open to them in the sector.  These four women are helping to create the next generation of role models for women to help them succeed," stated Dennis Darby, President and CEO of CME.

The women in manufacturing scholarship was created to help support the education of women pursuing a career in manufacturing. A total of ten scholarships will be awarded beginning this year through to 2020, to help attract more women to the manufacturing industry.

About the Women in Manufacturing Initiative:

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' (CME) Women in Manufacturing Working Group was launched by National Board of Directors Chair Rhonda Barnet in March 2017. The Working Group was created in response to a key recommendation from CME's Industrie 2030 initiative regarding the need to attract more women to manufacturing to help address chronic labour and skills shortages in the sector.

The Working Group includes women and men representing CME member companies from a wide range of sizes and industries. The Working Group is dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women to pursue careers in manufacturing.

About Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters:

Since 1871, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters has been helping manufacturers grow at home and, compete around the world. Our focus is to ensure manufacturers are recognized as engines for growth in the economy, with Canada being acknowledged as both a global leader and innovator in advanced manufacturing, and a global leader in exporting. CME is a member-driven association that directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies who account for an estimated 82 per cent of manufacturing output and 90 per cent of Canada's exports.

About Fiera Foods:

Fiera Foods is a Toronto-based baked goods manufacturer supplying its wares to many of the largest grocers and restaurant chains in North America. Founded by two refugees in 1987, Fiera Foods has been committed to perpetually innovating and adapting to serve its valued customers for over three decades. Providing opportunities to underrepresented groups like women, refugees and recent immigrants is at the heart of Fiera Foods' DNA. Its strong employee base has helped make it a leader in quality, innovation, customer service and food safety. Company information at www.fierafoods.com.

SOURCE Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters