Camira's Incredible Women: Working in Male-Dominated Environments
This International Women's Day, we’re proud to spotlight Jenna Newham. Jenna’s path from the retail industry to fabric inspection is an interesting one - she was the first female at Camira to be trained on the tenter machine - one of the business's largest textile finishing pieces of machinery.
Multi-skilled operator at Camira, Jenna Newham addresses industry stereotypes and how women can thrive in manufacturing.
“I quickly realized the importance of building strong relationships with my colleagues, especially since most of them were men. ”
Jenna, can you share how you transitioned from retail to manufacturing?
I spent quite a few years in retail before I transitioned to manufacturing. I was keen to develop my skills in something more technical and that’s when the opportunity in manufacturing came up and I took it.
My husband works at Camira too—he runs the tenter machine—and we’ve been working opposite shifts for 11 years now, around the school run. This arrangement has allowed us to avoid paying for childcare, which has been a huge benefit for us as a family.
What does your day-to-day look like at Camira?
Interestingly, I was the first female to be trained on one of the biggest machines we have in the factory, which was a proud moment for me. I wanted to prove that women can do anything in manufacturing, and having that chance opened up new opportunities for me within the company.
When I first started, I worked in weaving, inspecting the weaving process. I quickly realised the importance of building strong relationships with my colleagues, especially since most of them were men. But I’ve always been good at fitting in and adapting to the environment. It's important to have a thick skin and not take things personally.
As a woman in manufacturing, what skills do you think are essential for success in the workplace?
You definitely need resilience and determination. You’ve got to have the mentality of proving yourself, which means you’ve got to be assertive and confident in your abilities. It’s a skill to bounce back from challenges, and being adaptable to different environments is key. In my case, it was important to prove that I could handle the physical aspects of the job while also contributing in meaningful ways to the team. Being able to adapt, keep going despite setbacks, and have that "can do" attitude is vital in the manufacturing industry.
Being a working mum can be challenging. How have you managed to balance your role and family life, especially during school holidays?
Being a working mum, especially during school holidays, has always been a bit of a challenge. But what’s really helped is the flexibility of the company. We’ve always been able to make it work by adjusting our schedules, and my husband and I have been able to juggle things so that one of us is always at home with the kids.
“It’s a skill to bounce back from challenges, and being adaptable to different environments is key.”
What do you think women bring to the manufacturing industry that’s unique?
I think women bring a different perspective and a calmer approach to situations. While there are lots of men in the industry, and there are bound to be moments of tension or disagreement, I’ve found that women tend to handle challenges with a more balanced mindset. Having a mixed workforce is beneficial because it allows for different viewpoints, and it helps to avoid the typical “head-butting” situations that can arise when everyone thinks the same way.
There’s definitely room for more women in manufacturing, and it’s great to see that we’re breaking stereotypes and showing that women can thrive in this field.
You’ve been part of the training process for other women and men in the company. What’s that experience been like for you?
It’s been incredibly rewarding - I’ve not only learned from my colleagues but I’ve also had the opportunity to train others, both men and women, on the machines and processes. Seeing the knowledge transfer and being part of someone else’s growth is one of the most fulfilling parts of the job. It’s nice to know that I’m contributing to the development of others and helping the next generation of employees grow and succeed.