Spotlight on Apprenticeships: Craig Thomas
In our series of case studies, we’ve been speaking to some of our members, finding out about the kind of work they do, how IGEM has supported them in their careers and their thoughts on the future of gas. In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, this time we’re talking to former apprentice Craig Thomas, who is currently the Compliance and Metering First Line Manager at Wales & West Utilities. Here, he tells us about his career so far.
Craig became an apprentice in 2009 and qualified as a First Call Operative (FCO) upon completion of his three-year apprenticeship. He worked as a First Call Operative for the several years following, attending gas emergencies – ranging from smells of gas and reported carbon monoxide, to fires and explosions – and carrying out essential domestic and commercial meter work.
“I then started to take on more tasks that would fall outside of a First Call Operative’s day-to-day role, including survey work, plant protection and working with other departments, meaning no day was the same as the last”, he says, adding “I became an A1 assessor, which involved auditing First Call Operatives during and after they complete work and giving appropriate feedback, whether negative or positive, all helping to build relationships. I then began to stand in for my manager in his absence, dealing with other departments and First Call Operatives, and the day-to-day running of the network, which gave me the stepping stone into becoming a manager.”
He is now the Compliance and Metering First Line Manager – “this includes ensuring compliance of the entire network, including qualifications, training and standards of work. I am still heavily involved in auditing, but now it covers the entire network and not just my local area. I work with other networks and contractors to deliver the targets of the company, along with ensuring the work is delivered safely, on time, and to standard.”
Discussing apprenticeships more generally, Craig says he highly recommends them – “I feel that apprenticeships provide invaluable experience for people starting in any new work environment. It gives people the chance to gain the experience and knowledge of the job through practical and classroom-based working, which I feel is vital to learning any new role.”
On being an IGEM member, Craig says he decided to join after receiving a presentation on a biomethane site visit: “I thought that it would open up opportunities not only within my company, but across the whole industry. With the push for alternative methods of supplying the network, such as hydrogen, IGEM is a good place to keep up to date with relevant information on the future of the industry.
“IGEM has been a good tool for me – attending events helps me to meet with other engineers from across the industry, and it’s personally helped me to learn about up-and-coming technology and new developments within the industry and on a wider scale,” he says, adding “I value the Engineering Associate membership grade because IGEM memberships are recognised globally and are a sign of competence and professionalism within the industry.”
Looking towards the future, Craig says “I am currently involved in a hydrogen project on our network, which I’m very interested in as it will change the industry as we know it. I believe this could be the future, and I’m keen to learn as much as possible.”