Spotlight on EngTech: Andy Cummings
In our ongoing series of case studies, Jordanne Allsopp, IGEM Marketing Communications Coordinator, chats to our members about their careers to date and how IGEM has supported them so far. She spoke to Andy Cummings, Senior Training Manager at Ideal Heating and an IGEM EngTech member.
After over 30 years working in the gas industry, Andy believes it’s never been as important for new engineers tojoin the gas industry as it is now. With the gradual focus on renewable energy taking priority, Andy is excited to be involved at the start of a “massive change in the industry”.
After leaving secondary school, Andy began his career in 1990, starting as an Apprentice Gas Service Engineer for the southwestern branch of British Gas in Bristol. There, he spent time at a technical college and trained with an engineer mentor.
After completing his three-year apprenticeship, he continued as a Gas Service Engineer for British Gas for almost 18 years.
Andy then decided to move into a Technical Trainer role within British Gas, which involved delivering training and assessments to both apprentices and fully qualified engineers. During this time, Andy gained his A1 Assessor qualification and NVQ Level 4 in Management.
He said: “This was a period of great development for me and I gained many additional skills and qualifications in training and assessment.”
He continued working within British Gas for a number of years in varying roles before moving to Gas Flare to take up a role as a Domestic & Commercial Gas, Oil & Renewables Trainer & Assessor, in October 2019.
In this role, he gained his commercial gas, oil and heat pump qualifications and developed his training skills further.
Then in 2021, Andy joined Ideal Heating as a Training Manager, where he was responsible for training
delivery for both internal and external customers. In the following year, he was promoted to a Senior Training Manager role, which sees him manage a team of training managers specialising in renewable technologies.
In this role, along with developing his knowledge, Andy has broadened his skillset in line with the company’s focus on decarbonisation.
His future goals include developing himself even further and growing his network of contacts. He said: “I am always learning and developing myself as a manager, so I hope that this is only the start of my management journey.
“In the next two to three years, I’d like to build up my portfolio and work towards receiving IEng accreditation through IGEM’s technical report pathway.”
Andy had always wanted to join IGEM to support him in his career and finally did so after seeing the benefits that members had access to.
He explained: “Since joining IGEM, I’ve encouraged the members of my team to join and be supported in their individual development and career journeys. Some have already listened and started their journeys.”
During his membership with IGEM, Andy has grown his network of contacts, which has also helped him to seek out advice and support with his career.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed interacting with people of varying levels and disciplines within the gas industry. I have just been promoted to Senior Training Manager within my current role and hopefully further development support from IGEM will lead to further opportunities.”
Andy has interacted with lots of young gas enthusiasts throughout his training career and always explains to
them that the hard work and effort they put into their evidential portfolios will well be worth it when they qualify.
“There are some great developmental opportunities if you put the time in at the start of your career,” said Andy.
“My advice to anyone entering the industry is to work hard, pursue your goals andnever stop learning and developing yourself. I only wish I had joined IGEM earlier in my career to help support me on my journey.”