90 Kentuckiana Students Prove that the Trades Are No Longer a Man's World in the 4th Annual Future Women of Welding Competition
"I hear out there in the real world, they pay women 70 cents on the dollar they pay men. I’ve never personally had that experience," says Hope Harp, Outreach Specialist for the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters (CMRCC). Speaking at the fourth annual Future Woman of Welding Competition, Harp’s message to the 90 young women in attendance was a call to a lucrative career path: in the skilled trades, your paycheck is defined by the quality of your bead, not your gender.
Ninety young women from 19 schools across the region gathered at the Local 502 Training Center on January 22nd and 23rd, 2026, to prove that the "man’s world" of industrial welding is officially a thing of the past.
Breaking the "Man’s World" Stereotype
For Dave McCoy, a veteran welding instructor at Pleasure Ridge Park (PRP) High School, this competition is the realization of a mission to dismantle outdated industry norms. "This is a man’s world—that’s always bothered me," McCoy shared. Over his 24-year teaching career, McCoy has seen female enrollment in welding pathways skyrocket, leading him to partner with UA Local 502 to create a space where these students could compete specifically against their peers.
"I wanted them to have an opportunity to actually compete with their peers...they become stronger most times than the guys are because of the struggles they have to have on their way through," McCoy noted. The growth is visible in the data: McCoy personally has 25 female students in his program this year, including seven seniors, with five of those students representing PRP in this competition.
Overall, the event has grown from 36 students in its first year to 97 today, signaling a massive shift in how young women view their career options. He was also proud to point out that they were joined by five competitors from Jeffersontown High School, further demonstrating the growing female presence in welding programs across the JCPS Academies of Louisville. McCoy is motivated by the tangible success of his students who graduate, buy their own vehicles, and move into their own homes within a year of finishing school.
Jadeyn Shepherd
The Competition: A Deep Dive into Precision
Held on January 22nd and 23rd, 2026, the event challenged students across three distinct skill levels, each mirroring the rigorous demands of the modern workforce:
Level 1 (Foundations): First-year students focused on the basics of Oxy-fuel cutting and SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding).
Level 2 (The Blueprint Phase): Second-year students moved into more advanced projects, following precise blueprints and incorporating GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding).
Level 3 (Advanced Craft): Seniors tackled the most complex projects, including welding on pipe and navigating uphill welds in flat positions.
Jadeyn Shepherd, a PRP senior, described the mental game required for the top tier: "You have to follow the whole blueprint, do your measurements, everything... once you're in that booth, it's just you and that metal". For Jadeyn, welding has become a form of "responsibility" and a mental "escape" where she can channel her energy directly into her craft.
Real Success: From the Classroom to the Career
The true "meat" of this event is found in the success stories of graduates who have already bridged the gap from the classroom to the real world.
Nataly Leon, a graduate of the PRP High School welding pathway, currently serves as a first-year welder at WireCrafters after her high school co-op placement transitioned into a full-time career upon graduation. In her daily role, she manages heavy panels and performs intricate tack welding to construct storage cages and holding cells. Although she identifies as a "girly girl" and found the transition to a physically demanding, "dirty" job to be a shock, she stands firmly by her choice and notes that she finds the work deeply enjoyable.
Similarly, Megan Witt has found professional success as a welder for Caldwell Tanks, a position she also secured through the co-op model. She attributes her high level of skill to the discipline she developed while preparing for competitions like this one, often spending her entire school day in the welding booth to perfect her technique.
Forging Connections for the Future
The Future Woman of Welding Competition transforms the Local 502 Training Center into a networking hub that provides students with direct access to the industry leaders who will soon be their employers. Our Platinum Sponsors—CMRCC, WireCrafters, UA Local 502, Altec Industries, Walker Mechanical, Caldwell Tanks, Everlast Welders, SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 110, and Holston Gases—do not just fund the event; they provide the bridge between the classroom and a high-paying career. By showing up to judge, mentor, and set up vendor booths, these partners offer students a glimpse into the diverse sectors where they can apply their skills. This year, these partners provided $44,000 in donations, ensuring that every student has access to top-tier materials and prizes.
These sponsors are instrumental in creating a seamless educational journey that leads directly to the real world. They offer the "portable" credentials and registered apprenticeships that allow these young women to enter the workforce at a net positive, earning money while they continue their specialized training.
As these 97 students return to their shops, they carry the confidence that the industry's biggest players are invested in their success. As Hope Harp reminded the competitors, the goal is to build a professional family: "All of my friends are from work...they're my family. They have that to look forward to." By fostering these connections today, our sponsors are ensuring that tomorrow's workforce is defined by excellence, inclusion, and the shared success of Louisville’s next generation of leaders.
Future Women of Welding 2026 Winners
OVERALL TOP SCHOOLS
Meade County
PRP
Prosser
LEVEL 1
Haylie Hopewell - Trailblazer
Merrick Mitchell - The HILL
Shea Shreve - Ohio County
Talitha Aalderink - Prosser
Lilly Higgs - PRP
LEVEL 2
Bailee Ragier - Breckinridge County
Cassie Reilly - PRP
Lily Shireman - North Harrison
Flora Bowen - Prosser
Grace Branham - Meade County
LEVEL 3
Ariana Frakowicz - Green County
Mackenzie Shaffer - Meade County
Savannah Priddy - Shelby County
Ashley Bogard - South Oldham
Madi Suter - Franklin County
