Introducing our new line of “Lady Eastwood” MIG Welders! Just kidding, but…
It might be a little difficult to think of your wife underneath a welder’s helmet, but more and more women continue to get into the field. In Australia, for example, the Queensland government launched a new “women-only” program in July that would help alleviate a shortage of skilled welders in the province.
The pilot program of “Women Who Weld” has already started with its first class of women welders, ranging in age from late-teens to mid-30s. At the end of the course this fall, they will each receive a Statement of Achievement, and will have progressed towards the completion of three units of competency from the Certificate I in Engineering qualification.
Of course, in the United States, women have been in the welding workforce for decades, at least as far back as World War II. As of a few years ago, women made up 6%-7% of welders, and it’s been pretty steady since. Many in the industry believe there’s no reason women shouldn’t be in the profession, especially since they possess the characteristics of a good welder: stable hands and scrupulous eyes.
When you think about it, this is a great way to get your wife, girlfriend or daughter to participate in your favorite hobby! The family that welds together, stays together!
This post has provided a fairly unique insight on the male dominated job profile of wielding. I agree that women have the required skill set for the job i.e. steady hands and detail oriented eyes. With the ever increasing rate of women turning for this job option, the shortage of the skilled workforce can be readily dealt with.