Tue, 23 July, 2019
John Pearsall, an active member of the SkillWeld Management Committee from its start, has announced his retirement. Having served on the committee for 20 years, John has been instrumental in the growing success of the SkillWeld competition, and usually in the most hands-on way.
John revealed his plans to retire from the committee on his 71st birthday, having supported the growth of the next generation of welders for two decades. However, SkillWeld was not the only focus for John, who remained active in the welding community throughout his career.
Not only is he a former chair of the Association for Welding, Fabrication, Training and Education (AWFTE), but he was also an active Professional Member of The Welding Institute, participating in the activities of the West Midlands Branch.
With regards to SkillWeld2019, John is bowing out on a high, as he notes that the competition is having its best year ever. With 10 national qualifiers taking place across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with 66 competitors taking part, and the overall standard of the welding was considered to be high. As ever, John stayed involved in the competition by preparing the materials for the test pieces and despatching them to the venues. Ten welders selected from the qualifiers will go to the SkillWeld finals at the NEC in Birmingham during WorldSkills UK Live on 21-23 November.
As for John, despite his retirement, we are sure he will stay involved in the work of The Welding Institute to some degree, but would like to take the opportunity to thank him for all his hard work and dedication and wish him all the best for his retirement.
Editors’ note: SkillWeld is the UK National Welding Skills Competition, which is supported by WorldSkills UK and Semta, and sponsored by Lincoln Electric, Air Products, ECITB, code a weld, Rambaldini Welding Services, Doosan and AWD.