Green collar jobs: Faris Jaweed – creating a cleaner gas network

I’m currently part of the team working on a long-term plan called the Gas Ten Year Statement. In it we discuss and set out how we intend to operate the gas transmission network over the next decade, which should lead to changes that will play a part in ensuring a safe, secure and sustainable energy future for Great Britain. It considers ways to use our assets to meet the net zero target – this is a major focus of the initiative.

Combining complementary interests

At primary school, I heard a lot about how protecting the environment was becoming more and more of an issue and how we needed to act as soon as possible. That really resonated with me and made me want to do something to help with it.

During secondary school, I then developed an interest in energy and the way that it’s generated, and how it reaches our homes and businesses. When I was studying for my A Levels, I realised I could bring these interests together by working in the clean energy sector and that made me want to become an engineer.

I went to Loughborough University to study Chemical Engineering and this included a year-long placement at National Grid. I then re-joined as part of the graduate scheme in 2018.

It’s allowed me to start a career at the apex of energy, engineering and the environment, all within a large organisation with lots of opportunity to understand the industry and work in different roles. We take the commitment we’ve made to achieving net zero very seriously and it’s an integral part of our long-term strategy.

Being part of the pursuit of net zero

For anyone thinking of following this path into a green collar career, I’d say ‘go for it’. You won’t find many other careers that offer the same level of satisfaction while being incredibly interesting and challenging, and helping to create a cleaner energy UK.

You won’t find many other careers that offer the same level of satisfaction while being incredibly interesting and challenging, and helping to create a cleaner energy UK.

As for me and the future, I’d like to be known as someone who made a difference in something that I was passionate about. Hopefully, in five years’ time I’ll be at National Grid working on the energy transformation as a manager.

Getting greener outside of the day job

I’ve switched to cycling around town; a lot greener and cheaper too! I’ve also started consuming only one portion of meat or fish a week. I was listening to a podcast recently that discussed how much our diets have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions and I was surprised to see how eating less meat, especially beef, can help the cause so much.

My eco hero is…

It’s a strange answer but I’d say my eco hero is Leonardo DiCaprio. He’s set up a foundation working on conservation projects around the world and I think it's good to have people in the public eye who are extremely vocal about the impact of climate change – he’s definitely doing that.