Claudia Weeks, Community Content Lead for Fuel Oil News, met with Josh Burton, Transport and Sales Coordinator, WCF Chandlers, to hear his thoughts on being part of the next generation.
Getting started in the industry
“I have worked in the downstream fuel industry for six years now,” began Josh as he explained how he joined the industry. “It was my first full time job after leaving college. Previously, I’d worked at McDonald’s whilst studying!
“I went for an interview at the WCF Chandlers office and was really taken with the positive and fun working environment there. Luckily, they offered me a job! Now there seems to be a lot of negative press about the industry but that wasn’t the case when I joined the business.”
Claudia asked Josh what advice he would give to someone new considering joining the downstream sector: “I would say to spend time with different people with experience in different departments across the business. It’s a great idea to get a wide and clear view of how the industry works.”
Day-to-day life
Josh shared what a typical day for him can look like: “I start my day early, waking at 5.00am and going to the gym before beginning work at 7.00am. My core responsibility is routing fuel tankers across all depots under my remit, ensuring efficient and effective delivery planning.
“I collaborate closely with the sales team to assess which areas require additional focus and which do not need further work, helping to align operational capacity with business demand.
“Throughout the day, I work with the operations team to coordinate servicing and repairs, ensuring vehicle availability and safety standards are maintained. I also serve as a first point of contact for our drivers, assisting with any issues or queries that arise and confirming their work schedules for the following day.
“After work, when time and weather allow, I unwind by playing a round of golf. I really enjoy working in fuel distribution. It certainly keeps me busy, and no two days are ever the same.”
When asked who inspires him in the industry, Josh replied: “I really couldn’t narrow it down to just one person. My whole team inspires me.”
Josh did share the best piece of industry advice he had been given since joining this industry: “You can’t do everything, sometimes you have to say no!” – valuable advice that came from Peter Goss.”
Growth, skills, and challenges
As a mature sector, fuel distribution can often be overlooked by the next generation, especially in a period of high employment. We asked Josh for his opinions on the benefits of having young people in the industry: “One of my greatest strengths as a young person in this industry is my ability to adapt.
“The fuel sector is constantly facing new challenges, and I embrace these changes as opportunities to grow. I’m always willing to learn, take on new responsibilities, and find solutions in high-pressure or unfamiliar situations. This mindset allows me to stay resilient, continuously improve, and contribute positively to both day-to-day operations and long-term goals.
“Young people entering the fuel or wider energy sector over the next 10 years will certainly need flexibility and adaptability.”
Claudia asked Josh whether he has ever questioned being a part of this industry: “Yes, there have been a few moments where I’ve questioned my career path, especially during particularly demanding or high-pressure periods.
“However, what has always pulled me through is the support of the people around me. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside experienced, supportive colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and offer guidance. Their encouragement, along with my own determination to grow and succeed in challenging environments, has helped my career to flourish and progress.
“I am now clear on the next steps in my career. I would like to become a Transport Manager. I’ve recently taken proactive steps toward this goal by successfully completing my Manager’s CPC qualification and the IOSH Managing Safely course.
“These qualifications have strengthened my knowledge of compliance, safety, and operational efficiency, and I’m now focused on gaining further experience and taking on more responsibility to prepare for that role.”
Industry perspectives
Gender diversity can be an issue in the downstream sector, but this isn’t something that Josh has experienced: “I feel that WCF Chandlers has been a gender diverse office since I joined.”
Sharing common misconceptions people have about working in the fuel distribution sector, Josh was keen to challenge these viewpoints: “A common misconception is that fuel distribution is a highly profitable or “cash-rich” industry.
“While the volumes involved might give that impression from the outside, the reality is that the operating costs are significantly higher than in many other areas of haulage. From the specialised equipment and compliance requirements to the rising costs of maintenance, insurance, and safety standards, the margins are often much tighter than people realise.
“If I could change one thing about the industry then it would be about drop sizes! The drop sizes now are smaller quantities but more often, so we are going back to places with 500L three times a year instead of 1500L once a year because of buying patterns and costs.
“I would like to see it go back to larger drop sizes but less drops. It is better for fuel economy, the environment and tanker wear and tear.”
Looking ahead: The energy transition
The industry is changing and evolving as we move through the energy transition, Claudia asked Josh for his thoughts: “I think the domestic market will get smaller, especially with no new homes being built with heating oil systems. However, removing the need for heating oil in off-grid communities will be a significant transition, so I can’t see it not being needed at all. It’s going to take time, and I believe there will still be demand in certain areas for quite a while.”
Sharing his thoughts on how fuel distributors can support the transition, Josh said: “Traditional fuel distributors have a crucial role to play in creating a sustainable energy future by focusing on operational efficiencies and optimising their existing resources. For example, more efficient routing of deliveries can significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Increasing drop sizes where possible can also help reduce the number of trips needed in a day, ultimately lowering the environmental impact.
“Additionally, maintaining tankers to the highest standard ensures they run efficiently, reducing the carbon footprint of the vehicles themselves.
“I believe alternative fuels like HVO have a key role to play in the future of the industry, particularly in reducing environmental impact. The potential is really exciting, and as awareness grows, we’re seeing increasing interest from customers.
“While cost can still be a challenge compared to traditional fuels, there’s a real opportunity for government support, tax incentives, and industry-led initiatives to help bridge that gap. With the right backing, I’m confident we’ll see wider adoption as businesses look for sustainable solutions.”
“My generation are certainly pushing towards more environmentally friendly energy.”
Fuel Oil News will continue to champion and support the young people entering our industry. If you would like to highlight a young person or apprentice who is making a difference at your company, please contact claudia@fueloilnews.co.uk
Image credit: Images courtesy of Josh Burton, WCF Chandlers
