SHREVEPORT, La. – Manufacturers remain concerned about the shortage of skilled workers for critical jobs in the trades, jobs like welding. 

To fill the gap, they are urging high schools and vocational colleges to recruit more girls to pursue these jobs. Right now, only five percent of welders are girls.

At Caddo Career Center, half the students are female and many are learning how to do jobs traditionally held by males.

“We have female students in automotive technology and auto body collision repair. In the skilled trades, welding. Honestly, a lot of the trades where it’s a benefit to be more dexterous, the girls in it, a lot of time they will show up the boys,” said Kenneth Berg. 

To learn more about the courses offered at the Caddo Career Center, watch our Education Checkup podcast with Berg at ktbs.com/podcasts.