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igem news

SPOTLIGHT ON...
ENGTECHS

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 IGEM Marketing Assistant Jodie Shepherd his story so far

LANCE’S CAREER IN the gas industry direction within the industry, joining
began in 2005, when he left school aged a much larger company, Cadent, to
16 and joined a small family business aid his development and progression.
called Wheildon’s while completing an He started work as an Emergency
advanced apprenticeship in mechanical Gas Engineer at Cadent in January
services at Lancaster and Morecambe 2021. “This new role has given me
College. He remained at the company an appetite for the industry and I am
from 2005 to 2018, undertaking various constantly looking to engage with new
roles including working as a Gas Safe opportunities,” he says.
and OFTEC-registered technician. This “Most of my work at Cadent involves
predominantly involved commissioning, responding to gas emergencies such as
servicing, and repairing boilers and gas escapes, carbon monoxide alarms,
heating systems. During this time, he fires, explosions and supply/pressure
gained invaluable industry experience related issues.
while developing his fault-finding
expertise and confidence. He also “Since joining IGEM, I’ve
successfully attained ACS accreditations
and experience in domestic and actively encouraged colleagues
commercial gas installations for both to join. I would also recommend
natural gas and LPG fuel types. applying for the grant”
In 2018, Lance decided that it was
time for a change and moved to a slightly
larger company in a more senior role, “I enjoy working with a wide
working as a supervisor primarily cross-section of society and having a Sheila Lauchlan and David Tomkin for
with Worcester Bosch products. “I customer facing role. It’s important their support during this process.
carried out plant room design and to me to provide excellent customer “During my short membership at
installations, boiler installations and service and support vulnerable IGEM, I’ve enjoyed interacting with
maintenance alongside procurement members of society - something which people of varying levels and disciplines
and compliance,” he says. is also a key part of the Cadent ethos.” within the gas industry. I have just been
“I was fortunate enough to be provided In March 2021, Lance was successful promoted to Senior Engineer within
with lots of training opportunities in attaining EngTech membership my current role and hopefully my
and mentoring, giving me a broader with IGEM and has enjoyed an exciting completion of the NEBOSH course will
knowledge of other non-gas aspects of year, also receiving the 2021 EngTech lead to further opportunities.”
mechanical services. I was also able to Development Grant, which he says he Lance joined IGEM because he’s
mentor two employees through their was “delighted” to receive. constantly looking for ways to better
gas diploma, providing them with work “So far, I’ve used the funding to himself and develop his knowledge. As
experience and support, which I found complete two IOSH courses and I am an IGEM member, he was recently able
very rewarding. This is something I nearing completion of the NEBOSH to attend the Hydrogen Homes Project
would like to continue going forward.” General Certificate. I am hoping to move as part of the Young Person’s Network,
Another change came in 2020, forward with an Engineering HNC in the where he says he enjoyed meeting a
when he made the decision to change future. I’d like to give a special thanks to broad range of people from various

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