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Torching Traditional Stereotypes: Female ATDM Graduates Breaking the Molds of Women in the Workforce

Black female with helmet and headlamp and foreground, with ship and shipyard equipment in background

There is a growing need for qualified workers in skilled trades such as welding and the industry is responding with competitive pay, job security and the opportunity to build a fulfilling career path. Women are stepping up to fill this gap and are discovering the advantages of this profession. Within the past seven years, the number of women working in skilled trades has increased by nearly one-third. In 2021, there were more than 314,000 tradeswomen in the U.S. — the highest level ever recorded.

For young women graduating high school and entering the workforce, education about these careers cannot be overlooked. Like many in their late teens and early 20s who are uncertain about their next step, Hannah Hickman of Danville, Indiana, knew she wanted to work but also knew college wasn’t for her.  

“I was kind of just pondering about learning a trade, but I wasn’t actually doing anything about it, and I wasn’t sure if it was even an option for me,” Hickman recalls. “It wasn’t until I learned about ATDM that I was given the confidence to consider welding.”

Hannah vividly remembers her first week at ATDM, unpacking nerves alongside her belongings. The structured orientation and initial classroom sessions eased her into the program, but it was stepping into the welding shop that truly tested her resolve. Confronted with the challenge of mastering two years’ worth of welding skills in just four months and being the only woman in her cohort, her educational journey was not without self-doubt. But within a few weeks, Hickman found herself catching on, drawn to the hands-on nature of welding and the endless creative possibilities it offered.

The same was true for LaRosa McCoy, who graduated in the ATDM cohort before Hickman’s.

Hailing from Newport News, Virginia, McCoy was working as a cook at a local university when a conversation about ATDM changed the course of her life. Intrigued by the prospect of learning a new trade, McCoy made the bold decision to apply and relocate to Danville for her training.  

Reflecting on her journey, McCoy admits she had always contemplated going back to school but procrastinated until welding came into her life.

“It’s such a perfect, gratifying art form,” said McCoy, who had never handled tools but found herself captivated by welding’s blend of creativity and technical skill.

With the guidance of female instructors and ATDM graduates that came before them, like Makayla Baker, both Hickman and McCoy felt supported to excel in their classes.  

“The instructors are very good at what they do, and they’re straightforward about how you can be successful,” noted Hickman. “There’s definitely those men out there that will just look at you and assume you don’t have what it takes, but I shrugged it off.”

Hickman remained resolute, bolstered by the belief of her instructors and peers who saw beyond gender stereotypes.

“Makayla Baker’s example and her encouragement for me felt like a gift from God. I went from being unable to pick up a welding stick to earning four certifications,” shared McCoy, who resonated immensely with the physicality of the job. “The hands-on training connected my mind and body. If I didn’t initially understand a concept from class, it all made sense later in the shop.” Even now, McCoy relies on lessons learned at ATDM to navigate challenges in her career.

For both Hickman and McCoy, ATDM wasn’t just about learning to weld; it was about gaining self-confidence and finally entering a career aligned with their passions and lifestyle goals.

“For the first time in my life, I was like, ‘Yeah, I know this is where I'm supposed to be,’” said Hickman. “I feel confident to go into a workplace now because I know I’m a good welder. I know I’m equipped with the technical and real-world skills I need, because of ATDM.”

After graduating from ATDM, McCoy relocated to Maine thanks to the position she secured at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. “I wake up every morning excited about my job,” said McCoy, whose fulfillment and success haven’t gone unnoticed back home. McCoy actively encourages others to consider similar paths, advocating for women to explore opportunities in welding and manufacturing.

“LaRosa’s training positioned her well for success as a tinsmith at our shipyard. She is doing a great job, is a valued member of her team and, like the Rosie the Riveters who were key to BIW’s historical success, she is engaged in important, meaningful work — a mission that matters,” said David Hench, spokesman for General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.

Stories like Hickman and McCoy’s underscore the importance of programs like ATDM in educating and empowering women to pursue fulfilling careers in any path that speaks to them, and that there’s more than one mold for women to succeed.