Women Turn To Welding

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!
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