Initiative aims to add 500,000 women to
manufacturing workforce by 2030
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 24,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LP Building Solutions (LP), a
leading manufacturer of high-performance building products, today
announced its pledge to support the Manufacturing Institute's
"35x30" initiative, an ambitious, industry-wide effort to close the
gender gap in manufacturing by adding half a million women to the
industry, increasing women's representation from the current 29% to
35%.
"We are proud to invest in the
Manufacturing Institute's '35x30' campaign." –Brad Southern
As a company, LP is dedicated to adding more women and
minorities to its team and fostering an inclusive workforce. To
support these goals, LP decided to partner with the Manufacturing
Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the
National Association of Manufacturers, where LP's CEO, Brad Southern, currently sits on the board.
"We are proud to invest in the Manufacturing Institute's '35x30'
campaign," said LP Chair and CEO Brad
Southern. "By building and developing a more diverse,
engaged and highly skilled workforce, we're also building a better,
more resilient and more competitive manufacturing industry."
One of the initiatives under the "35x30" campaign is the Women
MAKE Mentorship Program. LP's contribution will support this
nationwide movement, which seeks to empower women in the industry
by training more than 1,000 women mentors in manufacturing. These
mentors will be connected with younger women in the industry and in
educational institutions, such as four-year colleges, universities,
community colleges, high schools and middle schools, and even
refugees.
The campaign will collaborate with manufacturers on strategies
to attract and retain female talent and broaden the workforce
pipeline by supporting women throughout their education. The Women
MAKE America initiative will focus on retention and recruitment in
the industry while recognizing the strides that women have already
made.
Molly LeBlanc, an LP team member,
was honored with the Women MAKE America Award this year,
demonstrating LP's commitment to supporting women in achieving
their career goals.
"We are thankful to have partners like LP Building Solutions who
support our mission to close the manufacturing skills gap and
significantly increase the number of women to the manufacturing
industry by 2030," said Manufacturing Institute National Director
of Women's Engagement Isabelle Powell. "The campaign is an
unprecedented plan to strengthen our workforce and build the talent
pipeline. We are thrilled to have the support of industry leaders
who recognize the power of women in the workforce. This initiative
will help many women of all ages find their way into a successful,
rewarding career in modern manufacturing."
LP's dedication to supporting women extends beyond the "35x30"
campaign. Every year, the company sponsors the YWCA's Academy for
Women of Achievement, which highlights women making significant
community contributions. LP also provides an annual bursary to
Vancouver Island University's Women in Trades Training program,
focusing on supporting Indigenous women pursuing careers in
manufacturing. In 2022, LP donated to the National Association of
Women in Construction and Black Women Build, showcasing its
continued support for women in the industry and commitment to
fostering a diverse workforce.
About LP Building Solutions
As a leader in high-performance building solutions,
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP Building Solutions, NYSE: LPX)
manufactures engineered wood products that meet the demands of
builders, remodelers and homeowners worldwide. LP's extensive
portfolio of innovative and dependable products includes Siding
Solutions (LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding, LP® SmartSide®
ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding, LP BuilderSeries® Lap Siding and
LP® Outdoor Building Solutions™), LP® Structural Solutions (LP®
TechShield® Radiant Barrier, LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water
Barrier, LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring, LP® FlameBlock®
Fire-Rated Sheathing, LP NovaCore® Thermal Insulated Sheathing and
LP® TopNotch® 350 Durable Sub-Flooring) and oriented strand board
(OSB). In addition to product solutions, LP provides
industry-leading customer service and warranties. Since its
founding in 1972, LP has been Building a Better World™ by helping
customers construct beautiful, durable homes while shareholders
build lasting value. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, LP operates 22 plants
across the U.S., Canada,
Chile and Brazil. For more information, visit
LPCorp.com.
About the Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing
Institute grows and supports the manufacturing industry's skilled
workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. Its diverse
initiatives support all workers in America, including women,
veterans and students, through skills training programs, community
building and the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As
the workforce development and education partner of the National
Association of Manufacturing, the Manufacturing Institute is a
trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources
necessary to solve the industry's toughest challenges. For more
information, visit themanufacturinginstitute.org.
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SOURCE LP Building Solutions