Spotlight on EngTech: Lance Newhouse
In our series of case studies, we’ve been speaking to some of our members, asking them about their careers to date, how IGEM has supported them up to now and what their thoughts are on the future of gas. Lance Newhouse is a Senior Emergency Engineer at Cadent and the recipient of the 2021 EngTech Development Grant. Here, he tells us his story so far.
Lance’s career in the gas industry began in 2005, when he left school aged 16 and joined a small family business called Wheildon’s while completing an advanced apprenticeship in mechanical services at Lancaster and Morecambe College. He remained at the company from 2005 to 2018, undertaking various roles - including working as a Gas Safe and OFTEC registered technician, predominantly commissioning, servicing, and repairing boilers and heating systems. During this time, he gained invaluable industry experience whilst developing his fault-finding expertise and confidence. He also successfully attained ACS accreditations and experience in domestic and commercial gas installations and both NG and LPG fuel types.
In 2018, Lance decided that it was time for a change – he moved to a slightly larger company in a more senior role, working as a supervisor primarily working with Worcester Bosch products. “I carried out plant room design and installations, boiler installations and maintenance alongside procurement and compliance”, he says.
“I was fortunate to be provided with lots of training opportunities and mentoring, giving me a broader knowledge of other non-gas aspects of mechanical services. I was also able to mentor two employees through their gas diploma, providing them with work experience and support which I found very rewarding, and this is something I would like to continue going forward”.
Another change came in 2020, when he made the decision to change direction within the industry, joining a much larger company, Cadent, to aid his development and progression. He started work as an Emergency Gas Engineer at Cadent in January 2021 – “this new role has given me an appetite for the industry, and I am constantly looking to engage with new opportunities”, he says – adding “most of my work at Cadent involves responding to gas emergencies such as gas escapes, carbon monoxide alarms, fires, explosions and supply/pressure related issues”.
“I enjoy working with a wide cross-section of society and having a customer facing role. It’s important to me to provide excellent customer service and support vulnerable members of society - something which is also a key part of the Cadent ethos”.
In March 2021, Lance was successful in attaining EngTech membership with IGEM and has enjoyed an exciting year, also receiving the 2021 EngTech Development Grant. “I was delighted to be awarded the EngTech Development Grant”, he says.
“So far, I’ve used the funding to complete two IOSH courses and I am nearing completion of the NEBOSH General Certificate. I am hoping to move forward with an Engineering HNC in the future. Special thanks to Sheila Lauchlan and David Tomkin for their support during this process too”, he continues.
“During my short membership at IGEM, I’ve enjoyed interacting with people of varying levels and disciplines within the gas industry. I have just been promoted to Senior Engineer within my current role and hopefully my completion of the NEBOSH course will lead to further opportunities”.
Lance joined IGEM because he’s constantly looking for ways to better himself and develop his knowledge. As an IGEM member, he was recently able to attend the Hydrogen Homes Project as part of the Young Person’s Network, where he says he enjoyed meeting a broad range of people from various fields within the industry including the YPN chair George Brookfield.
Lance is keen to advocate joining IGEM to other field force staff, so that they too can empower their professional development – especially given that IGEM membership isn’t overly prevalent amongst field force engineers in his region.
“Since joining IGEM, I’ve actively encouraged colleagues to join, and I would also recommend applying for the grant. I was apprehensive about applying for it myself at first as I had only recently become a member but I’m glad I did – if you are considering apply for it, just go for it”, he says.
“I feel that becoming professionally registered has provided a milestone in my career and a springboard for further career opportunities. It feels good to have recognition from a professional body memorializing my experience and ability”.
“IGEM brings together people from all areas of the gas industry, at all stages of their career journeys, affording networking opportunities to people who wouldn’t normally work together. If you need information about anything, it’s useful to have a broad range of people to turn to for support and advice”.
Discussing his thoughts on the future of gas, Lance notes that the future of gas clearly must evolve to tackle climate and environmental change, he believes that the gas industry will remain relevant as the main provider of heat energy for decades to come – “hydrogen certainly appears to offer a promising alternative, and we are at an exciting crossroads within the industry”, he adds.
He also extends special thanks to his current managers, Cadent’s Gareth Lloyd, Matthew Harbour and Chris Cocker, who he says have been a “great source of inspiration, encouragement and support” in his career, all having risen through the ranks from being gas safe engineers themselves.