Happy New Year to you. Are you, like me, a resolution maker? One of my resolutions for 2026 is to finish interviewing tradeswomen for my current book project. Plenty of writing and revising will remain, but I think I can wrap up the traveling and interviewing in the months ahead before I hunker down at my desk. Now, here’s a quick report on my most recent interview.
Two welders pose in their helmets, ready to go to work. Not convinced? You’re right to be skeptical. That’s me, in the Lyndon State sweatshirt. Next to me is Lindsey Brochu, the real welder. We’re at her workplace, Aviation Welding Technologies in Uxbridge, Massachusetts.
Aviation Welding Technologies is a highly specialized business that repairs and overhauls Pratt & Whitney airplane engine parts. The planes in question are on the smaller side, typically used for crop dusting, wildfire fighting, medical flights, puddle jumpers and corporate travel.
The critical nature of the work requires Aviation Welding Technologies to be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration and its European counterpart. So it’s probably not surprising that on site everything is highly organized. Lindsey explained the process that begins when a customer sends a part for repair. It is checked in and a paper trail initiated that will track the part through the many stages of the repair process – evaluation of what is needed, cleaning, machining, building up areas, welding and rigorous final testing. Throughout the process, employees make a note of every supply used, including the source, in accordance with FAA regulations. The work requires a high degree of attention and patience. As Lindsey put it, “We know it’s going into aircraft that will be in the sky. We have to make it just right. This is high stakes work.”
As we toured the facility, Lindsey introduced me to her co-workers. All seemed pleased to meet me, and excited that one of their own would be featured in a book. From the general manager I picked up an additional detail – Lindsey is an incredible baker. “That’s her job security,” he joked. “With the holidays coming, we don’t want to go without her cookies.”
At the welding station where Lindsey and a colleague do their work, she showed me her equipment and gave a basic explanation. But, she said, words can only get you so far. “You really have to get the torch in your hands to understand the process. Welding requires coordination. I use both hands, the torch in my right and the metal rod in my left, and I move the two simultaneously, slowly and carefully. I also use my right foot to press down on the pedal that controls the amperage.” I didn’t actually pick up a torch, but I did watch closely as she worked.
I was introduced to Lindsey by the principal of the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT) who had given me a tour of the school when I visited last spring. Lindsey graduated in 2012 but keeps in touch with the school and they, in turn, with her. While at BVT, her major shop class was manufacturing technology, which is where she learned about welding. Her father encouraged her to make it a career. One Christmas his gift to her was a welding helmet – that’s the one I’m wearing. More recently, she has updated her helmet style.
Lindsey is a big advocate of the education she received, yet is aware that a stigma about trades persists, at least in some people’s minds. When she was leaving middle school, on her way to BVT, a classmate told her that only losers go to BVT. In truth, admission is quite competitive. In 2008, when Lindsey applied, only 300 out of 700 applicants were admitted. I wrote about my visit to the school in my newsletter last May and won’t repeat everything here, but will say that the curriculum includes standard academics as well as technical skills. A good percentage of graduates continue their education after high school. https://kathleencstone.com/womens-biography/glimpseintofuture/. I was thoroughly impressed with the school. Most important, Lindsey is anything but a loser. She loves her job, her colleagues are friendly and supportive and the salary allows her to be financially independent.
Here are pictures of finished welds, so smooth as to be worthy of a Brancusi sculpture.
When I say that I have resolved to finish the interviews in 2026, it’s not because I’m not enjoying the process. I’m fascinated to learn about jobs and industries that are far from my own area of expertise. And I’m heartened to see women finding a niche that suits them, even if it means smashing stereotypes and breaking barriers. But I’m intent on moving this project closer to publication. As I do, I’ll continue to give you updates on my progress.
If you have a friend who would be interested in my work, I would be pleased for you to forward this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe to keep up with the latest news, and to stay in touch. Just visit my website and sign up here. https://kathleencstone.com
