Weld Australia wants more women welders

Weld Australia is calling on the Federal Government to target and engage women to work in the trades.
The trades industry is one area which continues to try and grow its female cohort having been historically a male-dominated field.
With a welding shortfall of about 70,000 by 2030, Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden said action was needed now.

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“Weld Australia’s members are currently operating at 50 per cent and 70 per cent capacity, and turning away work because they cannot find enough welders,” he said.
“Increasing diversity in the trades is one of the best ways to alleviate the looming skills shortage. Every effort needs to be made to encourage women to become welders.”

With high demand, job security and decent pay, there’s a lot to like about welding according to Crittenden.

Weld Australia has a number of programs in the pipeline aimed at attracting young women into the profession. This includes the Advanced Manufacturing Outreach Program in NSW.

This involves Year 9 students learning the ins and outs of welding through 82 welding simulators installed in 40 high schools. The simulators are also being used by year 10-12 students undertaking a MEM20413 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways.

“The Advanced Manufacturing Outreach Program is unique because it actually engages kids,” Crittenden said.
“It is hands-on, fun and educational. It is not just about studying more mths and physics textbooks.”

“The gamification of learning is particularly effective when trying to encourage females, Indigenous Australians, people living with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds into a career in STEM.”

This feature first appeared in The Tradie.