Shaping the Next Generation of Building Services Engineers – National Careers Week 2026 at NOVO

National Careers Week 2026 is a chance to shine a light on the people shaping the future of the built environment. At NOVO, that future is being driven by our young professionals; engineers who are balancing live project delivery, academic study and long-term career ambitions in building services engineering.

This year, we are spotlighting three members of our early-careers team: Mia Marchant, Joe Veale and Daniel Christenson. Each is on a different stage of their journey, but all are focused on the same goal; delivering efficient, sustainable and future-ready buildings.

Building a Career in Building Services Engineering

Careers in building services engineering demand a blend of technical expertise, creativity and long-term thinking around energy use, comfort and performance. At NOVO, our early-careers pathway is built around:

• Live project responsibility from day one

• Part-time and degree-level study routes

• Clear progression towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status

• Support from experienced mentors and multidisciplinary teams

Mia, Joe and Daniel show how this looks in practice.

Mia Marchant, Intermediate Mechanical Engineer

Where Mia is now:

Mia is currently studying for her BEng in Building Services Engineering at Leeds Beckett University while working as an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer at NOVO. Day to day, she is deepening her understanding of HVAC systems, thermal performance and sustainable building design, combining classroom learning with hands-on project experience.

Where Mia wants to be:

Mia’s ambition is to become a Chartered Engineer with CIBSE, recognised for delivering efficient, innovative and sustainable engineering solutions. She is:

• Gaining diverse project experience across sectors

• Taking on increasing responsibility in design and project delivery

• Actively working towards CIBSE competencies for professional registration

By committing to continuous professional development, seeking mentorship and engaging with CIBSE, Mia is building a clear pathway from intermediate engineer to future technical leader in low-energy building services design.

Joe Veale, Intermediate Electrical Engineer

Where Joe is now:

Joe is focused on advancing his skills as an Intermediate Electrical Design Engineer, working on live projects and applying relevant standards across the built environment. His role at NOVO is helping him develop a strong technical grounding in electrical systems design, while also sharpening his:

• Problem-solving and coordination skills

• Communication with clients, contractors and design partners

• Commercial awareness and understanding of project delivery

  
  

Alongside his full-time role, Joe is also undertaking part-time university studies, bringing together theory and practice. Balancing both commitments is helping him build resilience, time management and discipline; key attributes for long-term success in engineering.

Where Joe wants to be:

In the near term, Joe plans to complete his degree and move into a more senior position with greater responsibility for design leadership and project coordination. Long term, his aim is to become a Chartered Engineer, by:

• Gaining diverse experience across projects and sectors

• Taking on higher levels of technical and managerial responsibility

• Pursuing structured CPD and working closely with mentors to meet chartership competencies

Daniel Christenson, Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Where Daniel is now:

Six months into his journey as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Daniel is focused on closing the gap between academic learning and real-world building services design. He is immersing himself in:

• The technical detail of mechanical systems

• Industry regulations and guidance

• Advanced design software used across the sector

  
  

Everyday project work at NOVO is helping Daniel understand how design decisions translate into performance, comfort and sustainability in the finished building.

Where Daniel wants to be:

Daniel’s long-term goal is to progress to Chartered Engineer (CEng) level and become a technical lead, taking full responsibility for the design of sustainable, high-performance buildings. To get there, he is:

• Aligning his projects with CIBSE/IMechE competency frameworks

• Building cross-disciplinary knowledge by collaborating with electrical and sustainability teams

• Focusing on net-zero and low-energy design principles from the outset

Why Early-Careers Development Matters

For NOVO, investing in young professionals is about building a resilient, future-ready team that can respond to the changing demands of the built environment, from net-zero targets to evolving Building Regulations and client expectations.

By giving engineers like Mia, Joe and Daniel a clear route from graduate and intermediate roles through to chartership and leadership, we are:

• Strengthening our capability in mechanical and electrical design

• Embedding sustainable, low-energy thinking in every project

• Ensuring our clients benefit from fresh ideas backed by solid technical foundations