Spotlight on EngTech: Mark Seabrook
In our ongoing series of case studies, IGEM’s Marketing Communications Co-ordinator Jordanne Allsopp spoke to Mark Seabrook, Head of Technical Compliance at Gasway Services Ltd
Mark believes in leading by example, considering it of utmost importance to set standards of professionalism.
Being a member of IGEM, he says, fully supports this approach. Having worked in the heating industry since 1986, Mark has worked his way up the ranks to get to where he is today.
He began his career working as a fresh-faced apprentice, gaining his City & Guilds craft and advanced craft qualifications.
Following this, he took on a variety of different roles including working on the Bacton Gas Terminal, installing kitchens across the country and later running his own business installing and maintaining domestic and commercial heating systems.
In 2010, he decided to change direction and worked as a lecturer, delivering plumbing and gas engineering at local FE colleges for seven years.
During this time, he extended his professional development and completed a teaching diploma alongside assessment and verification qualifications.
Later he moved into the private sector where he developed apprentices and delivered training to engineers, guiding them to attain their Gas Safe registrations.
More recently, Mark joined Gasway Services Ltd as a Head of Technical Compliance, where he currently works.
The company boasts the largest heating provider in the east of England, delivering reactive and planned services for a range of heating solutions.
Gasway serves over 75,000 properties with over 200 engineers and over 40 apprentices, working across the social housing, commercial and private retail markets.
Mark’s role involves providing technical leadership to the business, supporting the achievement and maintenance of all regulatory and legislative responsibilities while continuously developing the technical management systems and leading the technical training agenda.
He also represents Gasway on IGEM’s Large Business Forum and has progressed to become an Engineering Technician, with guidance from Trevor Smallpeice, Chair of the Large Business Forum.
Mark said: “I am very proud that I can now call myself an EngTech. It would be a major surprise to the apprentice who started his journey in the gas industry almost 38 years ago.”
With constant changes in the industry, IGEM membership helps keep Mark up to date.
He said: “IGEM is at the forefront of development in the gas industry, and with the changes the industry is undergoing it is important for a company like Gasway to keep pace with those changes. Being a member allows me to keep abreast, contribute and engage the business, ensuring our strategy remains informed and updated.”
For his own development, IGEM membership allows Mark to reap the rewards. He said: “I feel that the knowledge and resources available to me are a major benefit. They give me opportunities to collaborate with members and access to knowledge items such as technical standards and the library, which absolutely support my continued professional development.”
Encouraging others to apply for Engineering Technician status, Mark explains that there is nothing wrong with being proud of your achievements and taking pride in what you do.
He believes gas safety is paramount and brings CPD to the forefront for engineers working at Gasway.
The company makes sure its employees are kept up to date with the latest developments in the gas industry, receive the relevant training and the correct procedures are followed.
Encouraging apprentices in the sector is something Gasway is passionate about, claims Mark.
In the future, he’d like to see more support from the government in terms of investment, funding them to move into apprenticeships to support companies with the oncoming energy transition.
He said: “There are a lot of discussions to be held yet and a lot of development that needs to take place, so I am sure the landscape will change significantly over the next few years. It is certainly an interesting time to be in the gas industry.”