From Makeup to Protective Gear! Ruo Yu-Xuan, the Nation's Only Award-Winning Female, Claims Bronze in Welding at the 56th National Skills Competition

Most people assume welding is a physically demanding job reserved for men, but 16-year-old Ruo Yu-Xuan proved with her own hands that skill has no gender—standing before a welding station where sparks fly and temperatures exceed 1,000 degrees Celsius. A student at National Cheng Kung University Affiliated Tainan Industrial Senior High School, she earned a bronze medal in the 'Welding' category at the 56th National Skills Competition, hosted by the Labor Affairs Council’s Workforce Development Agency, Yunlin-Chiayi-Nantou Branch. Not only is she the only female winner in this category this year, but she also broke boundaries between fine arts backgrounds and traditional male-dominated industries, showcasing the fearless spirit of female talent in vocational education.

Ruo Yu-Xuan’s Journey: From Junior High Art Class to a 1,000-Degree Welding Station

Originally passionate about painting and aesthetics as a junior high art student, Ruo entered the Sheet Metal Engineering Department at National Cheng Kung University Affiliated Tainan Industrial Senior High School, hoping to apply artistic design to metalwork. However, during her first gas welding class in her first year of high school, she became deeply fascinated by the technical precision of welding and immediately committed herself to the path of competitive skills.

As a beginner, she lacked upper-body strength and had to use her thighs to press down the welding torch. Prolonged training left her hands so sore she couldn’t write, and she often had to carry molds weighing over 20 kilograms. Despite intense heat, flying sparks, and skin scars, she set aside typical teenage interests like makeup and fashion. Instead, she wore full protective gear every day, refining her technique amid molten steel exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius, demonstrating extraordinary focus and resilience under pressure.

Support Through Government-Academia Collaboration: Overcoming Failure and Breaking Technical Barriers

When she first began competing, many advised her to quit, claiming welding was too tough for women. But Ruo chose to prove her abilities through action. Though her debut at last year’s national competition didn’t land her on the podium, she actively adjusted her strategy and pushed through challenges. She studied works by top international competitors, sought advice from former national team seniors, and, under the guidance of vocational instructors from the Yunlin-Chiayi-Nantou Branch, refined every aspect—from weld bead control and molten pool judgment to real-time problem-solving. Her parents offered heartfelt encouragement: “No matter your results, you’ll always be our pride.”

Yunlin-Chiayi-Nantou Branch Sweeps 20 Awards: Director Liu Bang-Dong Praises Holistic Talent Development

At the 56th National Skills Competition, trainees supported by the Ministry of Labor’s Workforce Development Agency, Yunlin-Chiayi-Nantou Branch, achieved outstanding results, securing 2 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze, 9 superior awards, and 4 honorable mentions—totaling 20 accolades.

Branch Director Liu Bang-Dong stated that Ruo Yu-Xuan’s journey—from initial failure to national bronze medalist—proves that skills transcend gender. “Skills competitions aren’t just about medals; they cultivate professional competence, stress resilience, and problem-solving ability. I hope more young people dare to enter vocational fields and unlock infinite career possibilities.”

The Yunlin-Chiayi-Nantou Branch emphasized that modern welding demands extreme precision in weld bead control, molten pool assessment, and surface smoothness. The meticulousness and visual acuity often found in female competitors are increasingly becoming unique advantages. As seen in Ruo Yu-Xuan’s case, integration of technical high schools (like NCKU-affiliated Tainan Industrial High), government training resources (Yunlin-Chiayi-Nantou Branch), and private enterprises (Shou Rui Welding Materials) provides youth with complete training equipment and expert mentorship. For more information on vocational training courses and competition preparation programs, visit the official website of the Workforce Development Agency, Yunlin-Chiayi-Nantou Branch.