The complex diversity in Australian manufacturing: why DEI strategies are a challenge

Purpose Manufacturing is critical to sovereign capability and global economic competitiveness in any country. This paper analyses the current state of workforce diversity across various sub-sectors of Australian manufacturing. The findings enhance the understanding of diversity at the sub-sector level and highlight the complexities among sub-sectors, providing insights for future researchers, policy makers and HR strategy developers. Design/methodology/approach This study analyses Australian census data from 2006 to 2021 for a comparative analysis of workforce trends in gender, generation, ethnicity, disability and educational qualifications in Australian manufacturing and manufacturing sub-sectors. Findings The study highlights significant differences in workforce diversity across manufacturing sub-sectors, emphasising the need for targeted, sub-sector-specific Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies and strategies under Industry 4.0. It argues that sector-wide strategies are insufficient, advocating for tailored interventions to address unique DEI challenges in sub-sectors and the importance of addressing specific skill challenges associated with technological advancements in each sub-sector. Originality/value The study findings underscore the importance of diversity strategies for retaining the older workforce in certain sub-sectors, attracting younger generations to specific industries, achieving gender balance beyond merely increasing women’s participation in manufacturing and ensuring meaningful ethnic representation across sub-sectors.