Women in the Trades: Arlette Loya Competing for National Welding Recognition

Arlette Loya always knew she would go to college. But when she started at UNM she realized traditional classes weren’t for her. That’s when she pivoted and instead came to CNM to study welding.

“I was studying Spanish and Chicano/a studies, and I was just having trouble staying engaged in the classes,” she says. “I was always interested in welding, and even though I didn’t know anything about it I wanted to finally study the thing that was so interesting to me.”

Arlette enrolled in CNM’s Welding program in 2023 and dove in headfirst.

Even though she was new, she picked up the technical skills quickly. Arlette also received lots of support from her classmates and instructors, which helped her feel like she belonged.

“There are times where my instructors would ask me to go get a tool and I had no idea what tool they’re talking about because I’d never seen or heard of it before,” she says. “But everyone looks out for each other and has been so helpful. The community at CNM has been my favorite.”

Arlette is also competing in this year’s New Mexico SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference on one of CNM’s Welding Fabrication Teams.

The Welding Fabrication Team competition requires Arlette and two other teammates to build a specific item with the materials provided, but they won’t know what they’re building until the day of the competition. If Arlette’s team wins the gold medal they will compete at the National SkillsUSA Skills and Leadership Conference this June in Atlanta, GA.

This is Arlette’s first SkillsUSA and she’s feeling nervous but also ready.

“I’m a very quiet person, so this competition is the first time I’m really going to put myself out there,” she says. “But I’m also excited to show everyone the skills I’ve learned, and I know this experience will make me a better welder and a better student.”

After CNM, Arlette wants to continue her education and earn her bachelor's degree in either metallurgy or welding engineering. She also wants to encourage other students, especially women, to give welding or another trade a try.

“Once you’re in the program, just keep going and don’t stop,” she says. “You’ll have to work hard but it will only make you better in the end.”