Want to become a Gas Engineer?

- Earn Great Money, Respect, Job Security and Satisfaction.

It’s no secret there’s a shortage of qualified gas installers in the UK. Of all the construction trades, gas engineers are in the highest demand. The future of the industry also looks to be in excellent shape as the price of natural resources rise and energy prices soar – which will lead to an increased demand for gas systems.

Becoming a gas installer will offer you a rewarding future, a full career path leading to professional qualifications, and good pay. No two days are the same - from fixing a cooker to installing a boiler and central heating system gas installers work on domestic, commercial and industrial projects that offer variety and challenge.

What to expect in a day?

Day to day you will work in either a domestic, commercial or industrial environment.

You could be fitting, repairing or maintaining appliances and piping in homes or businesses.

• Appliances include,
  
• Gas Heaters
  
• Cookers
  
• Meters
  
• Central Heating Boilers
  
• Radiators

You can also expect to be testing appliances thoroughly, paying strict attention to safety procedures. You will diagnose and repair faults, often on complex appliances and systems. For example you may test a boiler flue to make sure there is proper ventilation and that dangerous fumes cannot leak into a room. Then you may dismantle an appliance, clean parts, and repair or replace faulty parts. You could also deal with electronic programmers and controls.

Gas installers also answer customers’ questions, advise them on the most appropriate and energy efficient heating systems and show them how best to use appliances. They may also advise on the purchase of boilers and appliances.

Helpful skills to have
There are a few skills you should already posses if you want to pursue a career in gas engineering:

• Have an interest in Maths, Science and Technology
  
• Can solve methodical problem solving skills
  
• Be responsible and Attentive to detail
  
• Be computer literate
  
• Have excellent communication skills
  
• You should be physically fit

How do I get Qualified?

Unlike some other trade industries, the gas industry is highly regulated, so having the right training and bits of paper is essential.
In addition, once you are qualified you must also get registered with the national Gas Safe Register. Your competence will be assessed for this under the Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for Individual Gas Fitting Operatives (ACS)
Before you can be assessed by ACS you must be able to provide a portfolio of evidence that shows your training and on the job experience. Then the ACS certification must be updated every 5 years.

Qualifications:

ACS CCN1 Core Gas Safety

The CCN1 is the minimum requirement safety certificate. After you have achieved this you can apply to be accepted onto the gas register, but this certificate will only enable you to install, commission, disconnect and repair gas pipe-work in your chosen fuel (natural gas/ LPG) and in your chosen sector (commercial/domestic).

After this you will need to obtain additional certificates of competence in every fuel, sector and area of gas work you intend to undertake, these also have to be updated every 5 years. All your areas of expertise will be listed on the back of your Gas Safe Register ID card.
Eg: You need another certificate to work on cookers, another to work on gas fires and heaters, another to work on central heating systems and so on.
Other courses include:
CEN1 - central heating boilers/hot water circulators
CKR1 - cookers
HTR1 - space heaters (including gas fires and wall heaters)
WAT1 - water heaters
DAH1 - warm air heaters
MET1 - meters
LAU1 - tumble dryers
CPA1 - combustion performance analysis of domestic appliances
HTRLP1RA - boat gas safety

If you are interested in becoming a gas engineer, you might want to read our next article "Get Registerd As A Gas Engineer".