Hugh McPhillips IEng MWeldI, AWS is the Managing Director and owner of Genetic Education Training Services Ltd. Hugh has 35 years’ experience as a Lecturer, Workshop and Curriculum Manager at the College of North West London, as well as 12 years as an Education Consultant in Engineering. Hugh works with colleges and private training providers on course curriculum, apprenticeships and the new T-Levels.

Intro to you and your career in Engineering

When did you join The Welding Institute?

‘I joined The Welding Institute in 1973, after I had gained my Full Technological Certificate as a Tech WeldI Member.’

Please describe your current job role and responsibilities

‘I am working with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE), City & Guilds as a T-Level Ambassador, and as a Member of the Employers Information Board (EIB), which is working with The Royal Academy of Engineering. I am also working as a Technical Advisor for a new Virtual Environment Welding Programme alongside my own Welder Approvals Programme. I am also the Educational Editor on the Welding and Joining Matters Journal.’

Why did you choose a career in Engineering?

‘At school I did metalwork, woodwork and technical drawing as a part of the curriculum offer, and it was in these subjects that I had the most interest, this led me to a five year apprenticeship with Kodak Ltd on the maintenance side of the company.’

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

‘One of my biggest career highlights is submitting and becoming part of a national consortium to act as a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Welding and Fabrication, in conjunction with The Welding Institute, Keighley College and People’s College Nottingham, as well as being the National Training Manager for the WorldSkillsUK Construction Metalwork Competition.’

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

‘One of my biggest challenges was keeping our fabrication and welding workshops open during a downslide in apprenticeship training by diversifying our curriculum offer and moving to a roll-on, roll-off programme, giving greater flexibility to clients and employers alike. We also became part of an innovative programme in classic car restoration skills, maintenance programmes for NHS Trusts and self-funded work, such as welder approvals.’

Early Professional Membership

Why did you initially join The Welding Institute?

‘I joined The Welding Institute as a means to gain additional learning, and being recognised as having reached a standard within a Professional Institute, with access to a wide network of organisations and professional colleagues.’  

Tell us a bit about the process of becoming a Member of The Welding Institute?

‘I initially joined as a Tech WeldI Member, and progressed to become an Incorporate Engineer and MWeldI.’

Professional Registration

Are you professionally registered?

‘Yes, I became an IEng and MWeldI in 2010 and AWS in 1990.’

What was the process of Professional Registration like and why did you choose to become professionally registered?

‘In both education and in business, having post–nominals gives you some prestige and identity within the industry.’

Current Membership

How has Professional Membership/Registration helped you throughout your career?

‘Professional Membership has given me access to a network of organisation and personnel, to assist me whenever I have needed support and guidance.’

What Membership benefits do you use the most and fin the most helpful and why?

‘One of the most helpful benefits is the technical access, association with other like-minded Institutes and knowledge of innovative processes.’

About Volunteering

What current volunteer roles do you undertake?

‘I volunteer in several roles: President and Chairman of the South West Branch of TWI, Branch Management Member, Virtual Panel Reviewer, Association of Welding and Fabrication Trainers in Education (AWFTE) Management Member and Educational Editor on the Welding and Joining Matters magazine.’

Future (Membership and Career)

What are your engineering aspirations?

‘One of my aspirations is to promote a new approach to how technical information is presented, to make it more user friendly and interactive. Another aspiration is to promote apprenticeships for all; regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or impairment, with effective support mechanisms and funding.’

Would you recommend Membership with The Welding Institute and why?

‘In my case it has helped to promote my working life and has given me an insight to other areas of the industry.’

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

‘Some advice I would give is to be open to all opportunities, and be prepared to put in the ground-work, as it will pay dividends in the future. The more versatile you are the more employment opportunities will come your way. Also, never assume and always ensure that you double check any statements that you may make.’