Like many areas of manufacturing, the welding industry needs workers. Traditionally a male-dominated field, welding has faced a labor shortage for about a decade, and past efforts to expand recruitment efforts have mostly failed or remained inconclusive. But the new initiative aims to change that, especially by attracting women into the industry.
The older generation of welders is retiring or approaching retirement age, creating a gap that needs to be filled – and soon. But for years, welding didn’t particularly appeal to women, with many companies assuming that only men would want to weld in the first place.
In 2016, female welders accounted for only 4% of the industry.
The Ever-Evolving Welding Industry
The stereotypical images associated with welding don’t help — noisy, dirty factory floors; the constant risk of work-related injuries; and generally unpleasant conditions. But welding, like nearly every other field of manufacturing, is changing with the times. As technology continues to advance and industrial operations become increasingly digital and interconnected, the welding industry is becoming increasingly tech-heavy.
Automation technologies are creating safer, more productive work environments, freeing workers from more menial tasks, allowing them to focus their time on the more interesting aspects of their work. Robotics, computer programming and engineering skills are increasingly sought after as technology advances.
As the industry evolves, so must the recruiting techniques used to attract employees into the field. Manufacturing across the board has struggled with worker shortages in recent years, with companies and organizations across the country trying to figure out how best to recruit – including creating more apprenticeship and mentorship opportunities and raising awareness for trade and technical schools and funding, and targeting underrepresented groups through media and community outreach.
Why are there so few women?
So why aren’t women showing more interest in welding, which offers career stability, flexibility, good pay and benefits, and room for growth?
The fact that there are so many women can be a deterrent; for many, working as the only woman on a factory floor can be an unattractive prospect, not to mention that welding jobs are often associated with workplace hazards and related to harsh conditions.
Combined with the fact that workplace harassment remains an ongoing concern, the low numbers might not seem surprising. In a New York Times article published last December, 80 female factory workers were asked about their work experiences, many of whom described incidents of sexual harassment. Those who do not face harassment must often deal with a culture of general machismo that causes women to feel disrespected or out of place.
Recruiting women into the welding world
To improve working conditions for women on the factory floor, employers, unions and various nonprofits are seeking to change these perceptions and transform the country’s welding culture.
For example, the steelworkers union recently agreed to offer six months of paid maternity leave to attract more women to the field. United Auto Workers made history by being one of the first unions to include in its contracts with Chrysler and Ford that members could file complaints if they were sexually harassed.
Previous recruiting efforts have often focused on emphasizing the benefits of a welding career, such as high salaries, good health insurance and benefits, and job security. Scholarships for trade programs have also sprung up, and educational opportunities for young women have become more popular.
However, assessing these numbers and determining whether these initiatives have been productive is more complicated than one might think, as more people in manufacturing — and therefore more women — entered the workforce during this time. In 2010, 4% of welders, welders and brazers were women, and by 2016 this percentage remained the same.
Rather than simply trying to attract women to traditional independent, male-dominated programs and apprenticeships. The nonprofit organization offers welding classes and hands-on training sessions, many of which are led by women, and offers general resources and a support network for those looking to enter the field. With a focus on financial literacy, there is also sexual harassment training and women are encouraged to learn about their rights on the factory floor.
Igniting a Brighter Future for Women Welders
Welding will continue to evolve as new advancements continue to enter the market – both in terms of the technologies used and the way the industry is perceived. With initiatives like Women Who Weld reaching young women from all walks of life, and unions and employers stepping up efforts to create safer and more inclusive workplaces, the future looks bright for women in welding.
In the meantime, industry experts, employers, and nonprofits alike will continue to monitor the numbers, experiment with new initiatives, and work to create a better future for welding, women, and the manufacturing field in general.