This National Careers Week, we spoke with Carl Lavis, a Professional Member of The Welding Institute, about his career in welding engineering.

Carl shared insights into his role, how he entered the engineering field, and his advice for anyone considering a career in engineering or welding, including the different pathways available to build a successful future in the industry.

Read the full interview below to explore his story and perspectives:

Carl Lavis, MWeldI CEng

Principle Welding Engineer, Babcock International

Can you tell us about your current job role and what a typical day looks like? 

I’m currently a Principal Welding Engineer for Babcock International, based at Devonport. My main responsibilities are: 

• Line managing a team of welding engineers 
• Responsible welding co-ordinator in accordance with Devonport’s ISO 3834 certification 
• Manage welding projects that fall outside of day-to-day work, including mechanisation, automation and non-standard repairs.

How did you get into the engineering and welding field? 

I originally got into the welding/engineering field as a pipefitting apprentice where I had to learn welding for a module during the apprenticeship. After finishing my apprenticeship, I was given the opportunity to move into Devonport’s nuclear welding team and specialise in TIG welding of pipework in various materials. 

After a few years I moved into a welding quality assurance/quality control role and achieved CSWIP 3.1 certification. Getting that certificate made me want to know more about the theory behind welding, so I followed up with the TWI specialist and technologist diplomas and was given the chance to move in to Welding Engineering if I studied for a degree. A good few years later,  I have a foundation degree in Engineering through the Open University, a master’s degree in Welding Engineering through Cranfield University and have moved up through the grades in the welding department at Devonport. 

If I had to recommend any specific course, it would have been my apprenticeship right back at the start of my career. It gave me a solid foundation in the “hands on” side of engineering and gave me a good appreciation of “the art of the possible”, and the environments that the staff on the shop floor work in. Typical salaries for trade staff start around £17k for an apprentice and end around £36,000 after finishing their apprenticeship.  An engineering graduate can expect to start on £37k-39k with essentially no upper limit depending on how they progress through the company.  

What advice would you give to someone who is considering a career in engineering or welding? 

There’s no better time to get into engineering. The “skills gap” is here and now, so there’s a lot of opportunities for people. With the increase in civil nuclear, and defence spending there are a lot of un-filled jobs out there.  

Thank you Carl for taking part and sharing your advice for young people considering a career in Welding and Engineering!

Discover more about National Careers Week: Welcome - National Careers Week

Read our National Careers Week news item and download our PowerPoint about career pathways into welding, engineering and NDT!