Kirtland Community College’s Welding Event Empowers Girl Scouts of America at Gaylord MTEC

Kirtland Community College’s Gaylord Michigan Technical Education Center (MTEC) recently played host to a welding event in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of the USA Troop 8656 from Gaylord. The event, held on May 3, saw the Girl Scouts wielding torches and sparks flying as they delved into the traditionally male-dominated field of welding.

Under the guidance of Kirtland Gaylord MTEC’s instructor Daron Shimel, 11 Girl Scouts from the local community gathered at the MTEC facility to learn the ins and outs of welding. The event aimed not only to introduce the girls to a new skill but also to break gender stereotypes and encourage them to explore non-traditional career paths.

“Showcasing non-traditional careers such as welding to the younger generation is important. There is way more to welding than most people see,” said Kirtland Community College Welding Instructor Daron Shimel. “Being able to offer this to the girl scouts is an amazing thing. They will get to see what welding is all about, by actually getting to weld. Being able to weld will show them that this is something that they can do and it may just create an opportunity for welding to be a career for them that would never have been a thought without providing this welding event.”

The event kicked off with an introduction to the basics of welding, including safety procedures and equipment handling. Participants were then given the opportunity to try their hand at welding, while being supervised by Kirtland Gaylord MTEC instructors. From joining metal pieces to creating their own small projects, the girls where exposed to many different aspects inside the occupational trades career.

The event also featured interactive demonstrations and discussions aimed at showcasing the diverse career opportunities available in the welding industry.

At the conclusion of the event, each participant received a commemorative patch from the Girl Scouts of the USA. For many of the Girl Scouts that attended, the event served as a possible catalyst for future exploration and growth of interest in welding and other STEM-related fields.

“We are so excited for this opportunity to have the girls try something new. Something they may not have had the chance to experience without Kirtland and Girl Scouts.  It is amazing watching these girls dive in and try something new and realize they can do it,” said Girl Scouts of the USA Troop 8656 Troop Leader Sarah Greenfield.

The success of the welding event at Kirtland Gaylord MTEC underscores the importance of providing inclusive and hands-on educational experiences for young girls. By breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes, initiatives like these pave the way for a more diverse and equitable workforce in the future.

“Nontraditional careers can often provide job opportunities at higher wages and better benefits compensation than traditional occupations, particularly for women. As most people will be spending a significant portion of their lives in the workforce, it is good to know about the many career paths available regardless of gender,” said Kirtland Community College Dean of Occupational Trades Barb Walden.

Through the provision of educational opportunities of this nature, institutions like Kirtland Community College and the Girl Scouts of the USA open a gateway for aspiring young welders who may not have previously seen the vocational trades as a fitting career path. For more information on the event or programs offered, please visit www.kirtland.edu.