Joanna started her laboratory technician apprenticeship at Liberty Powder Metals in March 2021 having completed a degree in Crime Scene Science at Teesside University. She decided an apprenticeship would be a terrific way to gain knowledge whilst also building experience in the working world.

Her primary role is to evaluate samples of the powders that are produced using the on-site atomiser, looking at particle size analysis using sieves, to chemical analysis using oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and sulphur analysers. She is also involved in trials of new testing procedures which she really enjoys because she knows that she is playing her part in progressing the work that the company does.

Joanna knows she is learning skills and knowledge that other laboratory technicians don’t have, given the specialist nature of the work. Oh, and she’s also completed her training to be a radiation protection supervisor and is learning to use a 3D printer, all the time gaining certification and strengthening her desire to build a career at Liberty Powder Metals.

On the role of women in the workplace Joanna says she has always felt supported by her male colleagues and is treated the same as any other valuable member of the team. She does hope that as the company grows there will be more female workers in the lab to fill the deficit of women working in industry. With the skills she is honing, and the passion Joanna is showing for her apprenticeship, she is blazing a trail for women working in today’s steel industry and we recognise all that she is achieving this International Women’s Day.