Will George is a sales engineer at CEL Sheetmetal in Telford who helps to transform concepts into precision-engineered metal parts.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE? It's a mix of problem-solving, creativity, and technical know-how, all while ensuring everything fits together perfectly. My job is about keeping things running smoothly, even when challenges pop up unexpectedly.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT JOB? Long enough to know that no two days are the same, and there’s always something new to figure out.
HOW IS YOUR JOB IMPACTED BY FLUCTUATIONS IN THE ECONOMY? When things are busy, lead times are a challenge. When things slow down, price is the battleground. Either way, we keep the lasers running.
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW ON THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT FOR YOUR JOB? Politicians come and go, but they rarely make life easier for businesses like ours. We’ve learned not to wait around for government support - we just get on with it. 
HOW DO YOU VIEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – AND HOW MIGHT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS USE IT? AI has a lot of potential, especially when it comes to streamlining processes, speeding up admin, and assisting with design work. It can definitely help with efficiency, but it's no substitute for real-world experience and practical know-how. In our world, you still need people who understand the material, the machines, and what makes a part actually work.
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? Helpful, easy to work with, and someone who gets things done.
YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH IN THE WORKPLACE? Problem-solving - finding practical solutions that work for both the business and the customer. I enjoy figuring out how to overcome obstacles, whether it’s a technical challenge or a tight deadline. It’s about staying calm, thinking creatively, and keeping things moving forward.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR JOB? Managing tight deadlines while keeping quality and service at the level our customers expect is always a balancing act. There’s constant pressure to move fast without cutting corners. It takes solid planning, clear communication, and a team that knows how to deliver under pressure.
YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS? Rescuing 5 kittens! Myla, Mimi, Moomin, Meeka and Muffin! I am glad I can give them all a life with no worries (apart from fighting each other) and they will never go without or have any troubles ever again!
PET HATES? The term ‘Life Hack’. It always sounds like some kind of sneaky shortcut, when really it’s just a better or more efficient way of doing something. Let’s call it what it is - common sense or clever problem-solving.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Buy Bitcoin! I passed up on getting one when it was <£1000 as I thought it was too risky! Sometimes you need to take the risk!
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? Photography, especially covering pro wrestling events - it's fast, unpredictable, and a lot of fun.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT SHROPSHIRE? The mix of countryside and industry - you can be in a workshop one minute and in the hills the next.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM OF CHOICE? LinkedIn for work, Instagram for photography, and Twitter for news. Each one serves a different purpose - although I could do without the doom-scrolling.
FAVOURITE MOVIE AND/OR TV SHOW? Scarface/Breaking Bad. Easy to pick for each category but I could not choose between them.
EARLY BIRD, OR NIGHT OWL? Early bird - best way to get ahead of the day.
DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? Einstein, Billy the Kid, and Triple H - I would just ask questions about science, the Wild West days and wrestling!
WHAT WOULD YOU COOK FOR THEM? Order a McDonald's - 20 nuggets, fries, Triple Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger, Mayo Chicken and a Smartie Mcflurry! And yes, this is one order…
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. I have had my dream job… which turned out to be not much of a dream, but it taught me to be adaptable and go into new things with an open mind! I am now in an industry I love and would never have thought about it when I was younger.
AND FINALLY . . . WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HAS IN STORE FOR YOU, PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY? Professionally, I’m aiming to push the boundaries, learn more, and take on projects that really test my skills. Personally, I’m determined to carve out time for fitness and hobbies - getting a better balance is key. It’s all about growing both in the business and outside of it, with a little less stress and a lot more focus on what matters.
