The National Welding League for Women 2026 highlights the growing importance of skill development, women in manufacturing, and career opportunities in welding. In this conversation, Dr. Madhuri Dubey speaks with Mr. Vishwanath Kamath, Managing Director of Fronius India Limited, on how structured training, industry collaboration, and national-level competitions are creating new pathways for women in welding.
The discussion explores career opportunities, the role of the FACT training program, industry readiness, and how initiatives like the National Welding League are driving awareness, participation, and gender inclusion in skilled trades.
Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.
Q. What was the most memorable moment from this year’s National Welding League?
A. One of the most memorable aspects of this year’s National Welding League was not just the event itself, but the response it generated across the country. As we travelled to different colleges after announcing the league, we saw young women practicing welding with remarkable dedication and focus.
Many of them were spending long hours in training, often from morning till evening, pushing themselves to improve their weld quality and skills. What stood out was that this level of commitment came simply from the motivation to participate in the competition. They were competing not just with others, but with themselves to achieve better results.
These moments were truly inspiring and reinforced our belief that women have immense potential in welding. When given the right platform and recognition, they are ready to step forward, break barriers, and excel in this field.
Q. What career opportunities does welding offer to women, and how does the FACT program support this?
A. To begin with, we are offering a 30-day intensive training program under the FACT (Fronius and Academia Centre for Training) initiative for women who participated in the National Welding League. This program, conducted at our Pune facility, is designed to strengthen their practical skills and enhance their readiness for industry roles.
When it comes to career opportunities, welding offers a wide range of pathways for women. While many may start as welders on the shop floor, there are several opportunities to grow beyond that. One can move into roles such as welding supervisor, where they oversee operations, or become a welding engineer, working on processes, materials, and technical aspects of fabrication.
There are also opportunities to become trainers, which is especially important given the existing skill gap in the industry. With experience, individuals can take on leadership roles such as shop-floor in-charge or even progress to managerial positions in manufacturing. Additionally, welding professionals can explore careers in technical sales, where practical knowledge becomes a strong advantage.
Importantly, welding is a globally relevant skill, with demand across industries and geographies. It offers not only stable and well-paying career prospects but also opportunities for continuous learning and growth. While the profession requires physical and mental endurance, it is no different from many other demanding roles; and with the right training and commitment, it can be a highly rewarding career choice.
Q. How was the National Welding League (NWL) initiated, and how has it contributed to awareness and growth in this field?
A. We strongly believe in the philosophy of “weld like a girl.” This comes from our direct experience through the FACT program, where we conducted exclusive training batches for women. What we observed was very encouraging; women not only learned faster but also demonstrated excellent welding quality, often matching or even exceeding expectations.
This reinforced our belief that welding is not defined by gender, but by skill, precision, and dedication.
The idea of the National Welding League (NWL) 2026 originated from a simple intent, to celebrate International Women’s Day in a meaningful and impactful way. Around five years ago, we envisioned creating a platform that would encourage women to explore welding as a career. With strong support from academic partners, the initiative took shape in 2019, and since then, it has grown steadily.
From a small beginning, the league has now evolved into a national platform with significant participation and increasing interest from across the country. This year, we saw hundreds of registrations and a highly competitive final round, reflecting a clear upward trend in awareness and participation.
What makes the National Welding League impactful is that it goes beyond being just a competition. It focuses on creating a complete pathway, from awareness to training to employment.
Key outcomes of this initiative include:
Increased awareness about welding as a viable career option for women
Growing participation from institutions and students across the country
Opportunities for structured training through the FACT program
Stronger industry linkage, enabling better employment prospects
We are also extending training opportunities to participants beyond the finalists, ensuring that more women benefit from skill development and industry exposure.
Overall, initiatives like NWL are contributing to both workforce development and gender inclusion in manufacturing. With continued support from industry and government, we believe this movement can scale further and bring more women into the welding profession.
Q. What role do partnerships and education play in advancing welding careers for women?
A. Our partnerships play a crucial role in strengthening both the quality and reach of initiatives like the National Welding League. For instance, our collaboration with the American Welding Society (AWS) is largely value-driven, as they bring in global certification standards and technical expertise. Their involvement adds credibility and ensures that participants are aligned with industry-recognized practices.
We have also received strong support from academic institutions such as CV Raman Global University, which played a key role in hosting and enabling the competition. Organizing a national-level competition involves significant effort; from managing participants travelling across the country to ensuring safety, logistics, and a fair evaluation process.
However, beyond the competition itself, what truly matters is participation. When young women travel long distances, take up welding tools, and actively engage in the process, a significant part of the objective is already achieved. Once they experience welding firsthand, it often builds confidence and interest, encouraging them to explore it further as a career.
On the future of the National Welding League:
Going forward, our aim is to scale the initiative and make it more accessible across the country.
Key focus areas include:
Expanding participation from hundreds to thousands of women
Decentralizing the competition through multiple skill centers
Strengthening industry and government partnerships
Increasing recognition, rewards, and visibility for participants
We plan to conduct preliminary rounds across our solution and skill centers and bring finalists together at a national level. With stronger collaboration and support, we believe the National Welding League can evolve into a much larger platform that not only promotes skills but also drives long-term career opportunities for women in manufacturing.
Ultimately, the goal is simple; why limit participation to a few hundred, when we can inspire thousands of women to take up welding and build successful careers in this field?
Also read: National Welding League for Women 2026 Winners Announced on International Women’s Day
Q. What advice would you give to women considering a career in welding?
A. I would say this is a request; women should definitely explore welding as a career. It is a highly rewarding field that offers continuous growth, both professionally and personally.
Welding is not just a skill; it is a dynamic and evolving profession. With new materials, technologies, and processes emerging, it constantly challenges you to learn and adapt. This makes it a field where growth never really stops.
It also offers strong career prospects, financial stability, and global opportunities. More importantly, it gives you the chance to build something tangible and take pride in your work.
We need more women in this field, and I would strongly encourage them to give it a try. Once you experience welding, you are likely to develop a deep interest in it, and you won’t be disappointed.
