The Welding Institute is proud to announce that Catherine Leahy has been awarded the STEM Ambassador Award 2020!

Catherine is currently undertaking a higher degree mechanical engineering apprenticeship, working as a Corrosion Technician within the Materials and Structural Integrity group at TWI, studying towards a BEng degree in Applied Engineering at the University of Warwick.

Whilst working at TWI, Catherine has been heavily involved with The Welding Institute’s Younger Members Committee (YMC) and through her voluntary work, has demonstrated her commitment to promoting STEM subjects.

Her involvement includes co-ordinating outreach events such as the West Suffolk College STEM Innovation Campus formal opening, where she adapted the traditional outreach activity of ‘welding with chocolate’ to appeal to 16-18 year old engineering students. Catherine has also been involved in other outreach programmes, including the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Scheme and advertising TWI’s week-long work experience programme.

Through her work as a STEM Ambassador, and also as young female engineering apprentice, Catherine was recognised by the Women’s Engineering Society in 2019, where she was featured within their Top 50 Women in Engineering 2019, under the current and former apprentices category.

The STEM Ambassador Award holds a significant place within The Welding Institute due to our continuous aim to promote the professional development of not only established engineers and technicians but also potential and aspiring individuals. Catherine’s work and support as a STEM Ambassador has played an important role within this aim by helping others see a place for themselves within the industry.

It has been her continued work and commitment as a STEM Ambassador that has led to her success in winning this academic award, and The Welding Institute is pleased to award the Armourers and Brasiers’ STEM Ambassador Award 2020 to Catherine Leahy!

To find out more about the Armourers and Brasiers’ STEM Ambassador Award click here!

Younger Members Network

To find out more about our Younger Members Committee and get involved click here.