A women-led movement founded & led by Priscilla Palmieri Smith, turning women welders into one unified force, and built to grow through partnership across the welding & fabrication industry.
FLAME, Female Leaders Advancing Metal Education, is an initiative created by Priscilla Palmieri Smith to strengthen the welding workforce, elevate women in the trade, and unite the industry around inclusive trade education.
Through coordinated storytelling, visible mentorship, and genuine collaboration among women welders, FLAME transforms scattered partnerships into a single, unified movement. One that attracts, educates, and retains the next generation of skilled welders.
It pairs education, community leadership, and authentic representation, and highlights the 50% of the population that too often gets overlooked in the field.
The welding industry faces a widening workforce gap just as demand for skilled labor climbs.
Women remain significantly underrepresented in welding and the skilled trades, despite strong interest and growing participation nationwide.
FLAME turns this gap into a structured community initiative, built to grow with industry partners. It is designed to:
FLAME bridges brand, workforce & story
Not an ambassador program. A structured community where experienced women welders share real journeys, mentor new entrants, educate audiences on welding pathways, and build together, instead of promoting alone.
The FLAME Podcast
FLAME Forward is the voice of the movement. Candid conversations with women welders, makers, and educators about the path into the trade, the work, and what comes next.
FLAME is independent by design, and stronger with allies. We partner with companies, schools, and organizations across the welding and fabrication industry to expand access and grow the future workforce, together.
Anchor FLAME as a founding sponsor with first position, deepest integration, and a defining role in shaping the initiative as it scales nationally.
Support programming, education modules, and storytelling, with brand integration across FLAME's channels and the partner network.
Trade schools and training programs that connect FLAME's visibility directly to real enrollment and career pathways for women.
FLAME was founded and is led by Priscilla Palmieri Smith of P&L Smithed, conceived as an independent, women-led initiative for the welding and fabrication industry, inspired by the transformative work and creative process within their studio practice.
A community builder and storyteller behind art- and education-driven initiatives like And They Make and FLARE, with a proven ability to grow engaged communities around learning, advocacy, and meaningful storytelling. Priscilla conceived FLAME and leads its strategy, coordination, and execution.
A fabricator, engineer, and maker focused on making welding and metal fabrication approachable through hands-on learning. Through P&L Smithed, Luke turns complex processes into clear, buildable projects that support real skill development and innovation.
An independent movement, built to be supported by companies who believe women lead the future of the trade. Let's build it together.