Gabriel Wild

How long have you been with National Gas?

Ten months.

What are the main tasks in your role?

I am part of the graduate scheme at National Gas, working within our Hydrogen teams at National Gas. I completed my first 6- month placement within our Innovation Team, delivering projects to help build the technical evidence that hydrogen can be transported within the National Transmission System. My second 6-month placement is within our physical hydrogen testing team called FutureGrid. The FutureGrid team has built a world first hydrogen testing facility constructed of old decommissioned assets to test hydrogen operation. My main task within the team is help support the delivery of Phase 2 of the FutureGrid project which is looking to test an old compressor unit with hydrogen to determine its compatibility.

What does a day in the life look like?

The days vary quite significantly, and they range from project review meetings, individual work to going to site to engage with varying stakeholders as part of our projects. Aside from this I also have time dedicated to personal development which is supported by the team. A typical day might start with a morning team meeting to discuss project updates and upcoming tasks. This will be followed by a mix of collaborative work, such as brainstorming sessions to tackle project challenges. Site visits are also a regular part of my work, where I get to experience a more hands on approach at our compressor stations and our FutureGrid site which provide valuable practical insights.  

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy the collaborative nature of my role. Working with such a diverse team of engineers and external stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for the energy transition. The constant opportunity to learn and the support I get from the team keeps me motivated and helps me enjoy my work.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining a Graduate programme?

One of the most valuable aspects of the graduate programme is the variety of work you can get exposed in. The scheme allows you to rotate between 3 teams spending 6 months in each which is valuable learning to understand the business. This variety not only helps identify your individual strengths and interests but does equip you with a diverse skillset. For example, during my scheme I have worked in our Innovation Team, FutureGrid team and I will spend my last placement in our Process Safety Team to round off my graduate programme.