Women in Welding: Breaking Barriers in Skilled Trades Careers with Shanen Aranmor

Women in welding, skilled trades careers, and welding education programs take center stage. Shanen Aranmor of Weld Like a Girl joins host Andrew Brown to explore virtual welding training, SkillsUSA welding, and how mentorship and early exposure shape the next generation of tradespeople.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with Shanen Aranmor, founder of Weld Like a Girl, to discuss breaking stigmas in the trades industry and opening doors to rewarding skilled trades careers. From welding education programs and virtual welding training to SkillsUSA welding competitions, Shannon shares actionable ways to inspire tradespeople—from second graders to Gen Z apprentices.

Whether you’re interested in carpentry, HVAC, electricians, plumbers, or millwrights, this episode reveals how craftsmanship, problem-solving, and creativity fuel career growth in the skilled trades.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) – Why skilled trades careers matter and the stigma facing women in welding
• (04:35) – Encouragement, guidance counselors, and role models for women in welding
• (12:20) – Early exposure: shop classes, welding education programs, and community colleges
• (22:50) – Tech that sparks interest: virtual welding training, gamification, and simulators
• (35:30) – Homeschool competitions, mentorship, teamwork, and craftsmanship
• (52:15) – Inside SkillsUSA welding: sculpture judging, soft skills, and employer expectations

Key Takeaways

• Exposure changes everything. Kids can’t pursue skilled trades careers if they’ve never seen welding booths, tools, or shop classes.
• Representation is powerful. Role models show that women in welding belong in the trades industry.
• Tech builds bridges. Virtual welding training creates safe and scalable on-ramps for students and schools.
• Soft skills matter. SkillsUSA welding competitions reward teamwork, communication, and professionalism as much as technical skills.

About the Guest

Shanen Aranmor, founder of Weld Like a Girl, is a certified welding inspector, educator, and fabricator based in Yuma, AZ. She develops welding education programs for schools, veterans, and youth, advocates for women in welding, and champions pathways into skilled trades careers.

Keywords

Women in Welding, Skilled Trades Careers, Welding Education Programs, Virtual Welding Training, SkillsUSA Welding, Shanen Aranmor, Weld Like a Girl, Andrew Brown, Michael Krupnicki, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Industry Experts, Contractors, Toolfetch, SkillsUSA

Resources

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanenaranmor/

Website: https://weldlikeagirl.us/

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