People Powered Profile: David Lewis

David Lewis is the Founder and Co-Owner of EMC Elite Engineering, a company providing expert solutions in power and heavy engineering, and a respected voice in UK power engineering recruitment.

With more than 30 years of experience in electrical engineering, David has worked on a wide range of projects, from low and high-voltage installations to switchgear and motor systems.

As a specialist in large generators and heavy industries, his extensive knowledge and hands-on approach have made EMC Elite a trusted partner in the sector.

The UK energy sector is becoming more data-driven, with digital systems playing a growing role in how assets are monitored and maintained.

Alongside that shift, there remains strong demand across UK power engineering recruitment for engineers with deep operational experience across generation, maintenance, and heavy electrical systems — the environment in which David Lewis built his career.

Career Journey Into UK Power Engineering Recruitment

Can you tell us a bit about your career journey so far and what led you to your current role?

“I never really got on at school. I did the usual GCSEs but didn’t have a clear career path. Initially, I wanted to join the army because a lot of my family members were ex-military. However, I had an eye injury when I was young, which meant I couldn’t meet the medical requirements.

“After that setback, I considered the RAF and dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot – but I was turned down for the same reason. So, I left school feeling a bit lost about my career direction.

“Luckily, I managed to secure an electrical apprenticeship with Somerville Industries, which is where my engineering career began. I went to college and really enjoyed it. I completed my apprenticeship and then spent six years working in the oil and gas industry in Florida as an electrical technician in oil refineries and oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico.

“It was a great experience, but eventually, the company changed their strategy and outsourced maintenance work, which didn’t align with my career goals.

“I returned to the UK without a clear direction but heard about a new power station being built in Barking through a friend. Since I had a background in electrical maintenance, I started working there – and that’s where my career really took shape.

“At the Barking power station, I became heavily involved with large generators, working on technical issues and building relationships with contractors like Siemens and GE. I wanted to understand the engineering side of things, so I worked alongside contractors to learn as much as possible. This hands-on experience helped me develop a deep understanding of generator rewinds, rotor issues, alignment, and core failures.

“Over time, I became known as the go-to person for generator-related issues within Atco Power. I even spent a couple of years in Canada leading 19kV rewinds with Siemens Westinghouse, representing Atco to ensure the projects were planned correctly, completed safely, and delivered to a high standard.

“After the power station started to decline in 2009, I decided to take voluntary redundancy. They initially refused because of a core replacement project, but after completing that, I left in June 2010. I then did some consultancy work for about 18 months but didn’t really enjoy it.

“Starting my own business was always a goal, so I teamed up with Jamie – who I’d worked with at Barking – and we started EMC Elite with a £5,000 investment. Our original focus was providing mechanical and electrical services to the power sector, but our first opportunity came from Hanson’s in the aggregate sector. It was a large Vandr Unit project involving electrical testing and alignment – a £40,000 job, which was a great start for the business.”

Challenges in UK Power Engineering Recruitment and Business

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career?

“One of the biggest challenges early on was navigating the technical issues with the generators at Barking. It was a difficult situation for the power station commercially, but for me, it was an incredible learning opportunity. I was able to challenge contractors like Siemens and GE on their methods and costings, which strengthened my position within Atco Power.

“Starting a business was another huge challenge. Jamie and I had to figure everything out from scratch – setting up the company, managing finances, and building a client base. Our first project with Hanson’s gave us the confidence and momentum we needed.”

Advice for Engineers and UK Power Engineering Recruitment

What advice would you give to someone starting out in engineering or looking to start their own business?

“For anyone starting in engineering, I’d say always be curious and hands-on. Take the time to understand the physical aspects of the work – it’s not enough to know the theory, you need to see how it works in practice.

“If you’re starting a business, be prepared for setbacks and uncertainty. Take the opportunities that come your way, even if they aren’t exactly what you planned. Our first job wasn’t in the power sector, but it got us moving in the right direction. Adaptability and resilience are key.”

For those exploring an apprenticeship route into the sector, our guide to apprenticeship recruitment myths covers many of the misconceptions that hold candidates back.

UK Power Engineering Recruitment: Industry Outlook

How has the industry changed over the years?

“When I started, the focus was on doing maintenance properly and to specification. Over time, the industry has shifted towards being more about numbers than engineering. A lot of decisions are now made from a spreadsheet rather than through technical expertise.

“Another major shift is the talent gap. There’s a real shortage of young people coming into the industry. The experience drain, particularly after Covid, has been significant.

“We managed to grow through that period because of our sector experience, but the lack of investment in apprenticeships and training is becoming a major problem. I’ve said before that if I had 30 skilled engineers tomorrow, I could double the size of this business overnight – the customer demand is there, but the talent isn’t.”

The Future of UK Power Engineering Recruitment

What are the biggest challenges facing the industry today?

“The biggest challenge is meeting the environmental targets and the shift away from fossil fuels. To meet the growing demand for renewable energy, we essentially need to double the UK’s power generation capacity – but we don’t have the engineering workforce to deliver that. There’s a huge gap in technical expertise.”

David’s experience echoes wider findings from EngineeringUK, which has consistently flagged the scale of the UK’s engineering skills gap in recent workforce reports.

If you’re navigating UK power engineering recruitment challenges like the ones David describes, explore our power sector recruitment and talent demand guide, or speak to our team about building your technical workforce. If you’re a candidate looking for your next role, browse current power generation jobs.