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EDUCATION & TRAINING Welding women NWTC drums up interest in non-traditional career choices | BY KATE BAER "Quite frankly, the reality that welding has been considered a man's world, I don't see where that applies anymore," - Jon Russell, NWTC welding instructor College has a program in place that tags male nurses or female welders as "untraditional" students that could help provide workers in industries facing shortages. To fill those vacancies, NWTC offers free boot camps or workshops designed to drum up interest and awareness about specific programs. In late March, for example, NWTC held a free Women in Welding Workshop. Fiſteen women attended and 10 more were on a waiting list to learn more about a career in welding. "Quite frankly, the reality that welding has been considered a man's world, I don't see where that applies anymore, an introductory course in the field, including basic information on the welding process, as well as plasma cutting and welding-related training and the job market. Russell says there is certainly a instructor Jon Russell. Russell spent the day providing " says NWTC welding IN THE YEAR 2012, YOU WOULD think non-traditional gender career roles, such as a female welder or a male nurse, would be a thing of the past. Apparently not. Northeast Wisconsin Technical Northeast Wisconsin Technical College encourages women to consider welding as a career. Shown is A.J. Hisel of Wausaukee. shortage of women in the trades and ON THE WEB Northeast Wisconsin Technical College: www.nwtc.edu 14 | INSIGHT on Manufacturing • May 2012 he attributes the shortage to the misconception of welding as a "dirty" industry. He says some of his most successful students have been women. "There are many welding jobs that are essentially desk jobs in one clean area," he says. "From my own observation, several females are more adept to performing welding www.insightonmfg.com COURTESY OF NWTC