EARLY CAREERS GROUP
WHY ‘HANDS-ON’ TECHNICIANS SHOULD EMBRACE INDUSTRY GROUPS
LAURENCE GLAISTER, TWI
Back in March 2025 at the 9th ILAS event, I presented the findings of an experimental study on titanium, steel and aluminium alloys entitled “Real-time penetration depth monitoring of laser welding using Laser Depth Dynamic (LDD) OCT” on behalf of our team from the Power Beam Processes Section at TWI Ltd. As a hands-on Senior Technician at the time, I expected that presenting the findings in front of many accomplished laser and applications specialists would be an unfamiliar and daunting experience. However, the conversations and new connections gained after this presentation and event were immensely gratifying. Membership of the AILU ECG also provided further connections, experiences of other industry member practices and knowledge otherwise not easily accessible.
I have since been promoted to Principal Laboratory Technician at TWI Ltd. with the ongoing pleasure of covering projects across laser welding, surface engineering and cutting for a wide range of industries, including automotive, nuclear decommissioning, defence, and oil and gas, as well as the continuation of our interest in LDD applications. The experiences and opportunities provided by the AILU ECG and the chance to present at ILAS 2025 have directly enhanced my industry knowledge and contributed to this advancement—a path for which I am very grateful to AILU for providing the platforms.
Many technicians may see industry groups and conferences more as an opportunity for academics than for them. But as a recently promoted Principal Laboratory Technician at TWI Ltd., I believe my participation in the AILU ECG (Early Careers Group) and ILAS (Industrial Laser Applications Symposium) in 2025 directly contributed to my career and knowledge advances.
Although these events and presentations provide opportunities for academic, research & technology and industry participants to disseminate their work, as someone in a technician ‘hands-on’ role who has also seen the benefits first-hand of participating, I would urge anybody in a similar position to join a group such as the ECG and attend ILAS if they have the chance.
Contact: Laurence Glaister
laurence.glaister@
twi.co.uk twi-global.com
NEW MEMBER SEAN ROCHE-WATSON UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
I am a PhD student within the Laser Processing Research Laboratory at the University of Manchester and am jointly sponsored by the UKAEA. My research focuses on in-situ repair of pipework using laser materials processing for future fusion power plants.
sean.roche-watson@
manchester.ac.uk manchester.ac.uk
10 | LASER USER 118 DECEMBER 2025
Laser interests: Laser Welding, Laser Modelling, Laser Direct Energy Deposition, Nuclear Fusion
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