Found a great article in our local paper, the Union Tribune, featuring Nancy Woods, an instructor in the Welding Program at Palomar College, one of our local community colleges.

WELDING INSTRUCTOR SPARKS HER STUDENTS’ CAREERS AT PALOMAR By Pat Sherman

April 18, 2008 – SAN MARCOS – It’s not quite the same as crocheting a summer hat, but when Nancy Wood slips on her protective helmet and picks up her torch, the skills she employs in TIG welding are similar to those required for needlework, she said.

“I think that’s why women do it so well, because a lot of them over the years have learned how to crochet or knit,” said Wood, an adjunct welding instructor at Palomar College. “Welding is very artistic.”
….
According to the American Welding Society, of approximately 500,000 welders employed in the United States, only about 33,000, or 6.6 percent, are female.
…..[and]
there will be a shortage of about 200,000 skilled welders in the United States by the year 2010.
…read the full article online–>

In response to the present and predicted welder shortage, and to begin to change perceptions about women in welding (who they are, what they look like and what kind of work welding is) we’re profiling women welders over at CarmenElectrode.com– Check out “The New Rosies” .

If you know of any good welding programs in your community, or women welders who may be interested in being featured let us know!