Extending the accessibility of welding careers with Demi Knight Clark [Video]

Demi Knight Clark joined us on The Fabricator Podcast to talk about her efforts to open career pathways in the welding and manufacturing industries to people of all backgrounds and genders.

She talks about how her grandmother’s work as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II fueled Clark’s own interest in the trades, pivoting from a career in construction, focusing on workforce development initiatives that engage underrepresented populations, and partnering with welder Nate Bowman on initiatives with Lincoln Electric, Goodwill Industries, Marketing Metal, and more.

Clark emphasizes the need for more inclusive recruiting, welcoming environments, and mentorship to attract and retain a diverse workforce in the skilled trades. Her mission is to “put welding in places where welding is not” and inspire the next generation to see the opportunities in modern manufacturing.

This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla.

Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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Learn more about FMA’s foundation: https://www.fmamfg.org/foundation

Learn more about the FMA Annual Meeting: https://www.fmamfg.org/annualmeeting

Learn more about Demi Knight Clark: https://www.demiknightclark.com/

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ABOUT THE FABRICATOR PODCAST
The Fabricator Podcast brings you conversations with people in manufacturing who make things out of metal. We speak with manufacturers, metal fabricators, welders, job shop owners, small business entrepreneurs, artists, marketers, educators, and more. Host Dan Davis also goes beyond discussing just manufacturing and the skilled trades, and chats about pop culture, current events, food, music, movies, comedy, and, of course, robots. The Fabricator Podcast is presented by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association.

We shape the conversation around metal.

Host: Dan Davis
Producer/Editor: Gareth Sleger
Video Producer/Editor: Griffin Hammond, Dana Wiker
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