Meet Hayden Inglis, a service and maintenance engineer from ECG Facilities and the first-ever winner of the LCL Awards’ ‘Trainee of the Year’ Award.
At just 21 years old, Hayden has already completed an apprenticeship and expanded his skills with commercial gas qualifications. HP&R magazine caught up with Hayden to discuss his training journey, career choices and advice for others entering the industry.
Congratulations on winning Trainee of the Year! What did the recognition mean to you?
Thank you! Honestly, it came completely out of the blue. When Andy from Gas Certification Company rang me from the awards ceremony in Birmingham to tell me I’d won, I was stunned. It’s given me such a boost of confidence as I continue to develop my skills.
You began your apprenticeship at the age of 18. What drew you to the skilled trades?
Initially, I was considering a different path entirely – I’d thought about studying architecture or graphic design at university. But my dad works as a Gas Compliance Manager and Engineer at ECG Facilities, which inspired me to explore the trade route instead.
I was offered a multi-skilled service and maintenance apprenticeship with ECG, which threw me right in at the deep end with gas engineering, electrical work, plumbing and air conditioning.
I really liked the idea of not being tied to one trade and having the chance to explore different skills and identify my strengths.
What did your apprenticeship involve?
I trained at Glasgow Kelvin College, which provided excellent technical grounding and a good balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Understanding why the little details matter is important to me; it gives me a more extensive understanding of the practical side of things.
But applying what you’ve learned on the tools, that’s what makes you a better engineer. The hands-on experience during my apprenticeship was invaluable.
After qualifying, you chose to pursue commercial gas qualifications. Why did you choose this specialisation?
It was about broadening my career options, but my aim is to stay multi-skilled. There are more opportunities in commercial gas – the variety of systems and complexity of commercial installations means you’re constantly learning and problem-solving.
I completed my Commercial MLP and ACS qualifications at Gas Certification Company in Scotland, and their support throughout that process was fantastic.
Your tutors have praised your problem-solving abilities. How do you approach technical challenges?
I try to be methodical and curious. Recently, I had the opportunity to observe a service on an oil-fired appliance, which wasn’t part of my usual work. I jumped at the chance, asked questions, and got involved with the checks and procedures. Those kinds of learning opportunities are gold dust.
What qualities do you think are essential for success as a trainee?
Reliability is huge. You need to show up, be willing to start early or stay late when needed and demonstrate commitment. But beyond that, having a genuine interest in how things work makes a massive difference.
Also, helping others when you can. I’ve supported fellow apprentices when they’ve struggled with concepts, and I once worked alongside an engineer who was finding some of the physical work challenging. Stepping in to help others when you can strengthens the whole team.
What’s been the most rewarding aspect of your training so far?
Seeing my skills develop to the point where experienced engineers specifically request my support on jobs. It shows that the long hours of studying, the portfolio work, the effort to balance college requirements with practical workload – it’s all paying off.
What advice would you give to someone considering a gas engineering apprenticeship?
Go for it. The industry is crying out for skilled tradespeople, and the career pathways are there if you’re proactive and willing to work hard. I’d also say, think about your longer-term options early. Pursuing additional qualifications like commercial gas or electrical safety opens doors and gives you more control over your career direction. There’s a lot of change going on in the heating industry and the younger generation have an opportunity to lead the way.
What’s next for you?
I’m focused on continuing to build my experience at ECG, picking up as many skills as I can along the way! In January, I’m going for my electrical inspection and testing qualifications to further develop my knowledge.
I enjoy being able to switch it up and go from a gas job to an electrical job. I want to expand my knowledge as much as possible. The Trainee of the Year Award is an incredible stepping stone for me but it’s just the start.
