Could I be a Gas Installer in the UK?

Gas installers are always in demand with much of the UK’s heating, hot water and cooking appliances powered by gas. If you want a varied job that puts practical skills to good use, becoming a gas installer could be an ideal choice. For a full guide to the gas industry and a career as a gas engineer read our ultimate guide to gas.  

Gas installer – key skills

• Good at problem-solving
• Practical skill
• Ability in maths and science
• Polite and friendly manner to deal with customers

  To qualify as a gas engineer you will need an industry-recognised qualification and Gas Safe registration. You normally need to be employed by a gas installation company to gain these, through an apprenticeship, Approved Prior Learning. We also offer training for complete New Entrants to the sector.  

Gas engineer work activities

As a gas installer, you would mainly work at customers' homes, or at businesses like cafes and hotel kitchens. Your job could include:

• Installing appliances and systems
• Carrying out planned maintenance checks on systems and equipment
• Testing controls and safety devices to make sure that they are working properly
• Finding and repairing gas leaks using fault-finding equipment
• Replacing or repairing faulty or old parts
• Ordering new parts when necessary
• Keeping records of work you have carried out
• Giving customers advice about gas safety and energy efficiency
• Quoting and estimating for jobs.

 

Working hours and conditions

Your working hours would usually be 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may have to work on a rota if your employer offers 24-hour emergency cover. Most of your work would take place in customers’ homes or premises. You would normally need a driving licence but your employer should supply a van and equipment. The job can be physically demanding and may involve working in small, cramped spaces or at heights.

Entry requirements

To fully qualify as a gas installer you will need:

• A recognised gas industry qualification and/or
• Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) training and assessment
• Gas Safe registration

  Recognised gas industry qualifications include:

• Level 3 (NVQ) in Domestic Natural Gas Installation and Maintenance
• Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation
• Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water and Central Heating Appliances).

  To gain Gas Safe registration, you will need a qualification that covers the safety requirements for the type of appliances you want to work on, for example boilers. The usual route to achieving these qualifications is an apprenticeship, where you ‘earn while you learn’ with an employer, combining on the job training with class work.   ACS is relevant to:

• Former gas engineers coming back into the industry after some time away
• Heating or plumbing engineers in another, related industry
• All Registered Gas Engineers have to undertake ACS re-assessment every five years.

  We offer a range of training routes that culminate in ACS training and assessment, for experienced workers, operatives with some relevant experience and complete new entrants.   ACS shows that you are qualified to work safely with gas systems and equipment. Assessments include:

• Core Domestic Gas Safety - CCN1 (this is compulsory)
• Central Heating Boilers & Water Heaters - CENWAT
• Cookers - CKR1
• Gas Fires - HTR1
• Meters - MET1
• Warm Air Heaters - DAH1.

  All Logic4training centres, in Northolt, Luton and Basildon, are approved to deliver ACS training and assessment.     Gas Safe Register Whether you're self-employed or work for a company, you are legally required to be on the Gas Safe Register if you install or service gas appliances. To apply for registration, you need to show that you have appropriate experience and qualifications for your area of work. To find out more about registration requirements, see the Gas Safe Register website. Gas Safe Register     Could I be a gas installer? If you’ve read this and the answers ‘yes’, contact us