Women choose welding as a career for a number of reasons, such as being drawn to the field’s potential for creativity, hands-on work, and problem-solving. Welders build and repair structures in many manufacturing industries, including the automotive, construction, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), women accounted for 5.8% of welders in 2022. But this low number should not stop women who like to work with their hands from considering entering the welding field. Learn more about women in welding — past, present, and future — and how women are fostering innovation in this satisfying profession.
Women in Welding: Past
The welding field saw a significant shift during World War II when women filled manufacturing jobs previously held by men who were deployed to war. Women welders built ships, aircraft, vehicles, weapons, and equipment needed by the troops — marking the initial integration of women into welding and related trades.
The iconic images of Rosie the Riveter, a factory worker rolling up her sleeve and flexing, represented the patriotic women entering the manufacturing workforce. Perhaps less well known was Winnie the Welder, whose name sometimes appeared next to Rosie’s in wartime news coverage of women workers. Real women in welding also were represented in the news. A 1943 issue of Life magazine, for example, featured a woman welder on the cover and provided an account of her life on the job.
When the war was over, women lost their jobs to returning male service members. Despite their wartime contributions, women would later face stereotypes that portrayed welding as primarily suited for men. Gender bias in hiring practices and workplace cultures hindered women from entering or reentering these professions. While some women continued to pursue and excel in welding jobs during the decades after WWII, their overall numbers remained relatively low due to these factors.
Women in Welding: Present
Today women join the field by choice instead of national necessity. A career in welding can give women the opportunity to build structures and products that impact people’s lives. Welding also allows women to use their critical thinking, mathematics, and scientific skills. For example, welders need to understand the chemical processes involved in welding two items together.
Since there are few women welders, women often enjoy the camaraderie they develop with other women who work in the field, which can create an immediate support system. Being one of the few women in welding also gives individuals a chance to be pioneers and leaders, encouraging other women to join the field.
Women in Welding: Future
The future of welding looks bright, with many different types of welding jobs that women can pursue. Welders are needed to construct and maintain infrastructure such as bridges, highways, and buildings. As the federal government invests in infrastructure projects across the country, welders will play a vital role in ensuring the structural integrity of these developments.
Welders are essential in manufacturing industries for assembling and fabricating metal components as well. As technology advances, the demand for precision welders to produce machinery, vehicles, and aerospace components is expected to grow.
Emerging technologies such as 3D printing and robotics are influencing welding processes. The U.S. is likely to see an increased integration of automated welding systems and advanced techniques in various industries to enhance efficiency and precision. Women in welding can place themselves at the center of innovation by combining traditional welding expertise with these emerging technologies.
According to BLS projections, employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers will remain relatively stable from 2022 to 2032. An average of 42,600 job openings are expected to be available each year over the decade, which will primarily be to replace workers transitioning to other occupations or leaving the labor force, such as through retirement.
Start a Career in Welding Today
Opportunities for women in welding look promising. In the past, access to welding training and educational opportunities for women was limited. Educational institutions and vocational training programs were often geared toward male students, making it difficult for women to acquire the necessary skills and certifications they needed to qualify for welding jobs. Today’s welding programs, however, like those offered by Fortis, welcome women.
Welding puts you in the middle of manufacturing and, if you enjoy hands-on work and creating structures and products that are used every day, this could be the right career choice for you. Fortis offers welding diploma programs at campuses in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, and Texas. To learn more, call 1-855-436-7847 for more information or to schedule a campus visit.
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