Home > STEM Ambassadors > Interviews > Philip White

Philip White

Independent

Former Operations Manager and Head of Business Improvement with Scottish & Southern Energy plc, Philip is now retired however remains enthusiastic about engineering and promoting it to young people today.

5 things you do regularly in your job

Overall financial control and staff management responsibilities within my operations unit.
Visit work sites regularly.
Regular meetings with staff
Performance appraisal of engineers within my management unit
Give talks to schools and various organizations to promote engineering and engineers.

What made you decide to do this type of job? (teacher/ role model etc)

I saw engineering as an area offering very good career prospects. I have always been practically minded and had a particular interest in electricity. I started as a Craft Apprentice in the Electricity Supply Industry.

What motivates you?.

I thoroughly enjoyed my work and if I had my time over again I would do it all again. Probably the most important motivator to me was seeing some of the most fantastic innovations in operation, built by and operated by engineers together with an absolute desire to find out how things worked and why.

Any other info? E.g. activities you have done with schools, what you can offer schools etc.

I have worked with schools on a number of interesting projects. I can offer the experience and expertise of a practical engineer who has dedicated a whole career to engineering. I still remain very enthusiastic about engineering and I am keen to promote engineering to our young people of today.