Celebrating the success of Welding Week 2026

As Welding Week 2026 draws to a close, Enginuity is celebrating a successful week of championing the people, skills and innovation that keep UK engineering and manufacturing moving. 

Launched in partnership with The Welding Institute (TWI), the inaugural Welding Week brought together employers, educators, professional bodies and industry leaders to shine a spotlight on the welding profession, challenge outdated perceptions and inspire more people to consider a career in welding. 

A key highlight of the week was Enginuity's presence at WeldJoinExpo 2026 in Cambridge, where CEO Ann Watson MBE joined industry leaders for a panel discussion exploring how collaboration, professional standards and greater careers awareness can help tackle the UK's welding skills gap. Together with EAL, Enginuity also welcomed visitors to a shared exhibition stand, which received a visit from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. 

Throughout the week, Enginuity's social channels celebrated welders, apprentices, employers and educators from across the UK, showcasing the diverse opportunities available within the profession and encouraging organisations to share their own stories using #WeldingWeek26. 

Ann Watson MBE, CEO of Enginuity, said: "As the daughter of a welder, I've seen firsthand the pride and skill behind the profession. Welding Week celebrates those who keep the world moving, while inspiring future talent to power innovation, growth and our economy. This week has demonstrated what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose.  

By celebrating today's welding workforce and raising awareness of the exciting careers available, we're helping inspire the next generation of talent and ensuring welding receives the recognition it deserves. We hope this is just the beginning and that Welding Week will continue to grow as an annual celebration of the people, skills and opportunities that make our sector so important." 

Although Welding Week 2026 has come to an end, the work continues. Enginuity will continue working with partners across engineering and manufacturing to raise the profile of welding, support skills development and help build the skilled workforce needed for the UK's future. 

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