Jade White BEng Hons, CEng, MWeldI, EWE, IWE joined The Welding Institute over a decade ago and has led a fulfilling career thus far, having appeared on the WES (Women’s Engineering Society) Top 50 Women in Engineering List and advocating for increased access to engineering for women throughout her career.

Jade talks us through why she chose a career in engineering, her Membership with The Welding Institute, her advice to her younger self, and more.

About You

When did you join The Welding Institute?

Over 10 years ago.

Please describe your current job role and responsibilities/a typical day in your role:

I am a Welding Engineer; in a typical day, I review welding procedures and offer technical advice on welding and fabrication to various projects on site.

Intro to you and your career in engineering

Why did you choose a career in engineering?

I was exposed to engineering as a potential career with a good salary from a young age, having grown up in Barrow-in-Furness, with companies such as BAE and Sellafield Ltd on my doorstep

What’s one of your biggest career highlights or achievements that you’re most proud of?

Appearing on the WES Top 50 Women in Engineering List was a wonderful achievement and I felt honoured to have been picked alongside fellow females in successful engineering careers.

What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career and how did you overcome this?

Returning to work full time after having my children, but this has been supported with agile and flexible working arrangements, I believe this support is crucial for working parents.

Early Professional Membership

Why did you initially join The Welding Institute?

It was suggested as part of my CPD and performance management with my employer.

I used the TWI website to guide me to the required documents to be completed. I then contacted the TWI Membership service department for further guidance concerning interviews.

Professional Membership and Registration: CEng

When and why did you choose to become professionally registered?

As well as being encouraged by my employers to gain this status, I believed it was important to be recognised by my peers, for recognition of competence, commitment and evidence of expertise.

How has Professional Registration as CEng supported you in your career?

Since becoming a Professional Member I have benefitted from internal promotions in my current job role. The requirement to keep on top of continuing professional development (CPD) has helped provide a body of evidence of my achievements. CPD also helps me to identify areas of improvement, which in turn support my performance management agreement with my employer.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of becoming CEng and MWeldI?

Being asked to join the TWI Professional Board.

Current Membership

What are your core involvements with The Welding Institute, what do they entail and why do you undertake them? 

I was a Member of the TWI Professional Board, and was asked to join after the board watched a BBC news article I filmed addressing the topic of females in engineering roles. I try to attend as many groups or seminars that are relevant to my job role as possible, however due to location this sometimes proves quite difficult.

Which Membership benefits do you use the most and find the most helpful and why?

Training and seminars to help with CPD.

Future (Membership and Career)

What are your engineering aspirations?

I aim to continue adding to my professional development and experience in my role as a welding subject matter expert (SME) for Sellafield Ltd.

Would you recommend Membership with The Welding Institute and why?

Yes, I believe it demonstrates a professional attitude and can also lead to improved career prospects and employability.

What advice would you give or what would you say to your younger self beginning your career in engineering?

Take all available opportunities to gain experience and talk to people already in engineering careers to discover different pathways. Apply for training schemes offered by large companies (i.e. Degree Apprenticeships, Graduate Schemes, and Industrial Summer Internships). Choose STEM subjects at A Level and degree level.