Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Women in Welding at Ritchie
International Women’s Day 2025
This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing women in manufacturing and STEM roles, those breaking stereotypes and excelling in hands-on, skilled trades like welding. One such inspiring story comes from Chloe, a talented welder here at Ritchie, who has been with us for a year and a half and continues to prove that welding is a career for anyone with passion, skill, and determination.
From Music to Welding: Chloe’s Journey
Chloe didn’t start out as a welder. She initially worked as an engineer with conveyor belt systems and heavy machinery. But decided to embrace welding when a job opportunity arose and learnt as she worked. She has always been confident working with her hands and preferred an active job that kept her engaged and challenged. In school she explained that options such as welding weren’t highlighted to students, particularly girls. She studied Higher Music and enjoyed Football but left without knowing about welding as a career.
Stepping Up to the Challenge – coded welding within days
Adapting to welding at Ritchie came with its challenges, but Chloe tackled them head-on. She loves the variety of jobs and techniques required in her role, learning new skills and refining her craft daily. While it usually takes a few months to fully grasp the welding tasks and techniques at Ritchie, Chloe faced a particularly intense challenge early on, taking her coded welding test just days after starting.
For any welder, becoming coded is a significant milestone. It involves a rigorous test to demonstrate technical skill and precision, ensuring that a welder can produce high quality, safety compliant welds. Chloe, fresh into her new job, found herself in this high pressure situation. But with her natural ability and determination, she passed with flying colours. A testament to her talent and resilience.
Encouraging More Women into Welding
Chloe’s journey is an inspiration for other young women thinking about STEM careers, showing that welding isn’t just a career for men. It’s for anyone who enjoys working with their hands, solving problems, and creating something tangible. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we also highlight the importance of encouraging more women to explore careers in skilled trades like welding. At Ritchie, we’re proud to support women in welding and engineering, fostering an environment where talent and hard work speak louder than outdated stereotypes. To Chloe, and to all the women pushing boundaries in our industry, we salute you. If you’d like to read more stories click HERE.
