What is it like to be a woman teaching advanced manufacturing in a field where men make up the majority?

Hear it from three members of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) instructional team: welding instructor Makayla Baker, metrology instructor Holly Lyle and welding technician Autumn King. As the only women on a team of nearly 40 instructors and technicians, they share their career journeys, classroom experiences and what it means to mentor the next generation of manufacturing talent.

Through their stories, you’ll hear how ATDM’s fast-paced, 600-hour program equips students for life-changing careers in welding, metrology and more—and why representation matters in the skilled trades. This conversation highlights the impact of teaching, perseverance, and opportunity.

🎙️Topics Covered:

• How each instructor found her way into manufacturing and teaching
• What it’s like to guide students in ATDM’s intensive four-month program
• Challenges and opportunities for women in male-dominated fields
• Inspiring student success stories, from “last shot” moments to certification triumphs
• Why role models matter in shaping the next generation of manufacturing talent

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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