Spotlight on Engtech: Sam Storey
At IGEM, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on our members and share the stories behind their journeys in the gas industry. This time, we hear from EngTech member Sam Storey, who works as a Project Supervisor at Cadent
Sam began his career in the gas industry five years ago on Cadent’s Engineering Training Programme (ETP). Over two years on the scheme, he worked within the Capital Delivery team, helping to rebuild and upgrade above ground installations (AGIs). Much of that time was spent on site, shadowing project supervisors and engineers to gain an understanding of the intricacies of construction work and the wider lifecycle of major infrastructure projects.
Now in his third year as a Project Supervisor, Sam spends his days on site alongside contractors as they carry out work on Cadent’s assets. He is responsible for recording daily activities, carrying out inspections, issuing permitry, managing network routine operations (NROs) under SCO, and supporting project engineers and managers to ensure projects are delivered safely and efficiently.
Sam said: “Each project comes with its own challenges and lessons learnt, but it’s always satisfying to commission what we’ve built and see the final result once a project is complete.”
As his experience in the field grew, Sam wanted to expand his knowledge and build his professional network. Joining IGEM was a natural next step.
He added: “I decided to become an IGEM member to meet people in the gas industry and get a wider view of industry practices and innovation. I also wanted to be intentional about my continuing professional development and saw IGEM as a great place to record and advance my CPD.”
A key milestone in Sam’s professional journey was being awarded an IGEM Scholarship, which is supporting his studies towards a master’s in mechanical engineering. The scholarship has allowed him to progress beyond his HNC qualification and deepen his understanding of the principles behind the equipment he works with every day.
Sam said: “The scholarship has helped me to advance my studies and gain a better understanding of how the equipment we use on site works. It has also developed my ability to process and review technical information and improved my professional writing and communication skills. Having that financial support has made it possible to access extra resources for my studies and continue developing both personally and professionally.”
For Sam, the scholarship experience was valuable in more ways than one. He added: “Alongside the financial benefit, it was a great opportunity to go through an application and interview process and to make connections with people in the industry who share similar ambitions. I would highly recommend applying for an IGEM Scholarship, Grant or Award, as it’s a fantastic opportunity for development and can open doors that might otherwise remain closed.”
Sam has also benefited from the mentorship opportunities available through IGEM. For more than three years, he has been meeting regularly with an IGEM-appointed mentor who has helped him focus his efforts and plan his professional development.
Sam explained: “Having a mentor has been extremely helpful for being intentional about CPD, understanding the requirements for different membership levels, and identifying gaps in my experience. It’s allowed me to refocus my energy to grow in competence and development.”
As an EngTech member, Sam values the professional recognition that comes with his membership. He said: “The access to networking and insight into important and relevant subjects is valuable. I also use the online standards and technical portals to support my technical knowledge and perform better in my role.”
Looking to the future, Sam is optimistic about the direction of the gas industry and the opportunities that lie ahead. He said: “It’s an exciting time for the sector, with developments in biomethane injection and hydrogen, and also the changes that are coming as we respond to the growing need to reduce fossil fuel use.”