Workforce diversity, both in leadership and the rank-and-file, is one of those ideals to which companies aspire without needing a true “business” reason.

AIKEN, SC—Diesel engine manufacturer MTU America hosts an annual Girls Day event at its assembly plant here. The goal of the event is to educate young girls on careers in manufacturing and to encourage their interest in a typically male-dominated field.

SHIRWAL, India—The air conditioner assembly line at Godrej Appliances’ factory here is completely managed and run by women.

DETROIT—GM CEO Dan Akerson plans to retire, and the automaker will appoint Mary Barra as his successor. GM’s senior vice president for product development, Barra will become the first female CEO of a major automaker.

For example, according to the Precision Metalforming Association, 69 percent of U.S. metalworking companies have job openings. However, 91 percent of those companies are experiencing challenges finding qualified employees, and 42 percent describe that difficulty as “severe.”

WASHINGTON—Women could help manufacturers fill their need for skill workers, but companies will need to improve the image of the industry as a female-friendly workplace.