Tiffany Orff Barriers In the Male-Dominated Welding Industry

With her Welding Women Syndicate, Tiffany Orff hopes to bring diversity to the shop.

Tiffany Orff Syndicate: Pioneering a Path for Women in Welding

Tiffany Barriers Male-Dominated Industry

In the heart of Salinas, California, Tiffany Orff has kindled more than sparks in her workshop; she’s ignited a revolution. As the proud owner of Welding Women Syndicate, a venture she established in 2020 and officially unveiled in 2021, Orff’s journey from Los Angeles to welding maven is a testament to passion, determination, and breaking barriers.

With roots in real estate construction nearly 25 years ago, Orff’s trajectory led her through the corridors of a fabrication shop before she discovered her love for welding. “There’s just something about this process that you are just able to focus, and you shut down. And that’s all it is, is welding. It’s complete therapy,” she shared, her eyes alight with the fire of her craft.

Orff’s initiation into formal welding training came through an associate’s degree in welding tech at Arkansas Tech University. This was just the beginning. She went on to accumulate a portfolio of certifications, including a coveted Skills U.S.A. gold in welding and fabrication, and the distinguished Welding Equipment Manufacturers Committee (WEMCO) award from the American Welding Society. “Other women have won this, but not women’s initiatives,” Orff proudly noted, standing as a pioneer in her field.

Setting a groundbreaking precedent, Welding Women Syndicate under Orff’s stewardship has paved the way for women in welding. With only 7% of the welding industry being women, Orff was well aware that her journey would be a challenging one in a male-dominated domain. “In the beginning, it was really tough because you are constantly validating yourself. And then, at some point, you realize after certifications, degrees, awards, and businesses, that you just don’t need to do that anymore, and you have to have that self-confidence. And it takes many, many years,” she reflected on her remarkable odyssey.

Orff’s passion has taken her across the nation, ultimately leading her back to the sun-soaked shores of California’s Central Coast. Here, she finds herself doing what she cherishes the most – welding and teaching. She currently imparts her knowledge in a welding course at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad. “I have always been an underdog, and I want to be able to convey my skills to somebody that they could potentially leave that facility and hopefully not come back,” she shared, illuminating her dedication to the transformative power of education.

Welding for a living?

Beyond the confines of her workshop, Orff is a familiar face in local high schools, where she endeavors to kindle the flames of inspiration in the next generation of women welders. When asked about her message for young girls, Orff offered words of unwavering encouragement. “To not give up,” she emphasized. “It is really, really intimidating when you go, and you’re the only girl in a classroom. I just like to show them a successful business owner and I come in with a business partner who is also a woman, and then we let them know, the people that come here are women. We show them videos. We’ve shown them so many things that they know that we’re here. We’re not many, but we’re rising.”

Classes at Orff’s shop go beyond traditional welding; they include unique experiences like “wine and welding” and “whiskey and welding.” Moreover, an exploratory academy offers a comprehensive all-day event that delves into more advanced welding processes.

As Tiffany Orff forges ahead, she leaves a trail of sparks that light the way for aspiring women welders, proving that with passion, perseverance, and self-belief, any barrier can be melted away. Visit Welding Women Syndicate to learn more about Orff’s remarkable journey and the courses she offers.

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