We were pleased to welcome our Members to TWI Cambridge on 15 October, 2025, for The Welding Institute Annual Members’ Day 2025.

This flagship event delivered many opportunities to network and discuss the gap in skills, providing a platform for provocative discussions with the launch of a new Technical Group: TG9 - Training, Qualification and Quality, which is focused on all aspects contributing to achieving quality in welding and joining.

The TG9 co-chair Chris Eady gave opening remarks welcoming attendees followed by promoting the new Technical Group with an address from The Welding Institute / TWI Chief Executive, Caroline Gumble.

The morning included keynote speeches from Keith Birkitt from Health and Safety Executive, who spoke on ‘Practical Consequences of Deficiencies in Welding Skills Quality Management and Technical Understanding,’ and Helen Higgs from EDF Energy at Hinkley Point C, who presented on ‘The Demand for Skilled Welders and Welding Operators and the Training Challenges.’

We received some great feedback on what they thought about the TG9 presentations. 

“Insightful. As someone who has been looking to expand their technical knowldge in welding, it was motivational and has inspired me to take my learning further to progress in the industry.”

“Genuinely fantastic and relatable.”

There were other insightful presentations, including:

• Jake Rambaldini (Rambaldini Welding Services Ltd): The Relationship Between Practical Welding, Process Control and Weld Quality - The Welder's Position’
• Mike Baverstock (Welding Engineering Consultancy Ltd): ‘The Welder Competence Requirements in Industry - The Welding Coordinator's Position’
• Joel Broddle and Paul Robinson (CATCH UK): ‘The Development of Welders to Meet Employer Requirements - The Welder Trainer's Position’
• Steve Jones (University of Sheffield): ‘The Career Progression of Welders - The Welding Professional's Position’

After lunch and networking, a series of workshops followed offering a chance for Members to collaborate and contribute ideas concerning the direction of The Welding Institute.

These workshops included:

• Paul Woollin, (TWI Ltd) - Progress across the Institute in 2025: Exploring key achievements from the past year and how they support our Members, welding, joining and allied technology communities, and industry. Plus insights into what's coming for the year 2026 and how to get involved.
• Margaret Graham (ITER) and Paul Bailey (Engineering Council) - Developing a Fresh Vision for Professional Registration: A chance to rethink how professional recognition can evolve to meet the needs of modern engineers and technicians
• Steve Jones (University of Sheffield) - Closing the Welding Skills Gap: With the critical shortage of skilled welding professionals, explore education, training, and employer-led initiatives tackling this challenge head-on

The workshops concluded with a plenary session summarised by The Welding Institute / TWI Chair of Council, Claire Kimpton with Steve Jones rounding off the day with an awards ceremony. We are honoured to acknowledge the remarkable success of this year’s award recipients.

The awards and their winners this year are:

Loyal Service Award: Professional Board gives this award in recognition of outstanding service to the Branches and Committees of The Welding Institute.

• EUR ING Damian Janowski IWE CEng MWeldI
• Mark Roughsedge MWeldI

Distinguished Service Award: TWI confers this award annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to The Welding Institute on a national basis, as a result of which the position of the Institute has been significantly advanced.

• Humbert Mozzi
• Mike Skyrme CEng FWeldI (posthumously)

Richard Weck Award: TWI confers this award annually for the most worthy Industrial Member Report from the Core Research Programme.

• Dr Kai Yang CEng MWeldI

TWI Commendation Award: This award is conferred by TWI to provide recognition for special achievements by TWI staff.

• Sharon Hurworth

Continuous Learning and Development Award: The award is sponsored by Professor Steven Jones, The University of Sheffield, and his wife and is conferred to outstanding individuals who have undertaken significant educational journeys in parallel to their welding career.

• Carl Lavis MSc CEng MWeldI EWE/IWE

For those that were able to join us on the day, we hope it provided an opportunity to catch-up with your fellow Members, give feedback to the Institute and gain insight into the skills gap within the industry. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!