Gas network engineer Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Gas network engineer

Hours

37 per week
Starting salary

£11,000

The work

As a gas network operative, you would install and maintain the pipelines that supply homes and businesses with gas. You may also be known as a service layer or mains layer, depending on the size of the pipes you worked with.

Your job would include:

digging holes by hand or using mechanical digging equipment
using maps and plans to trace where you need to dig
laying and repairing pipes and mains systems
connecting homes and businesses to the gas network
installing and maintaining gas pressure control equipment
responding to emergency gas escapes
filling in holes and repairing pavements and gardens when your work is done.

You must follow strict safety procedures at all times, and your work must meet the standards laid down by the gas company and the Health and Safety Executive. You will usually work as part of a small team of two or three, with one member of the team being the Team Leader. If you become the Team Leader, having achieved the relevant qualifications, you will determine how the job is tackled and direct the other members of the team.

Hours

You would work around 37 hours a week, plus any overtime as necessary. You would usually work a rota with a mixture of day shifts and some unsocial hours, as work is often carried out at night or at the weekend to minimise disruption.

This is mainly an outdoor job, working in all weather conditions. You would be provided with protective clothing like safety boots and high-visibility vests. The work can be physically demanding.

Income

Apprentices usually earn around £11,000 a year.
When qualified, this can rise to between £18,000 and £25,000.
Experienced workers and team leaders can earn around £25,000 to £32,000 a year.

Overtime and shift allowances can greatly increase salaries.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You don't always need formal qualifications to become a gas network engineer, although you will need a good standard of general education. You should check entry requirements with individual employers.

However, you will often get into this type of work through an Apprenticeship scheme. For this, most employers ask for four GCSEs (A-C), including maths, English, and another relevant subject such as science, engineering or design and technology.

The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

Apprenticeships

If you are not joining the industry through an apprenticeship scheme, you will find it useful to have previous experience or qualifications in engineering, building services engineering, plumbing, construction or any job where use of tools and equipment is required, such as motor mechanic, etc.

The job usually involves driving a van around your local area, so a driving licence would be an advantage.

Training and development

Your training will be a mixture of learning on the job from experienced staff, and some formal courses at a training centre. You may also work towards one or more of the following qualifications:

NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3 in Gas Network Operations (Mains Laying, Service Laying or Craft [PB1] )
NVQ Level 3 in Gas Emergency Service Operations.

See the Energy & Utility Skills website for more details about qualifications and a list of training providers.

Many employers also offer structured graduate engineering and management training schemes, which usually last around two years.

Employers will often want you to complete an appropriate safety passport scheme, such as one of the gas industry schemes operated by Energy & Utility Skills on behalf of the industry. The Passport ensures that you have had a consistent briefing on matters of site and gas network safety, and enables you to be registered on the industry Skills Register (EUSR). See the EUSR website for more information.

Energy & Utilities Skills Register – Scheme Directory

Skills and knowledge

good practical skills
the ability to follow technical plans and diagrams
physical fitness
willingness to work in all weather conditions
a polite and professional manner with the public
a responsible and safety-conscious attitude to work
the ability to work as part of a team.

More information

Energy & Utility Skills (Opens new window)
Friars Gate
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922
www.euskills.co.uk

Energy & Utility Skills Register (Opens new window)
Tel: 0845 077 9922
www.eusr.co.uk

Tomorrow's Engineers (Opens new window)
EngineeringUK
Weston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7EX
Email: careers@engineeringuk.com
Tel: 020 3206 0400
www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Opportunities

You could work for one of the five regional gas distribution companies (such as National Grid), for a utility contractor that carries out work on behalf of the distribution companies, or for a construction company building new developments.

With experience, you could progress to team leader and possibly into management. You could also move into field or project engineering, possibly with some further study.

Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus, and employers' own websites. You may also find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The gas industry is part of the energy and utility sector, represented by the Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council, which also includes: power; waste management; and water. The UK energy and utility sector employs an estimated 536,200 people.

The gas industry covers the activities associated with the distribution of gas and the fitting/maintenance of gas equipment within a customers’ property. The gas industry can be split into:

Transmission and distribution of gas – consisting of the transportation of gas from the beach terminals through the National Transmission System, into the Local Distribution System, and then up to, and including, the main control valve adjacent to the customers’ property. Plus, the storage and re‐gasification of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), following its importation, the manufacture and distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other bottled gases and the operation and maintenance of network infrastructure (e.g. pipe laying, repair, maintenance and storage).
Utilisation of gas – consisting of all activities which take place on the customers’ side of the main control valve (including the meter). The major element of this sub‐sector is gas fitters/installers (i.e. Gas Safe registered gas installers).

Key facts:

There are 142,200 people employed in the industry, which includes:
- 18,500 working in gas transmission and distribution, including an estimated 1,000 self‐employed
- 123,700 working in gas utilisation
27% of the gas transmission and distribution workforce is female.
In gas transmission and distribution, women are concentrated in administrative and secretarial, sales and customer service roles.
The age profile of the gas utilisation industry is significantly older than average, with almost half of the workforce being aged over 45 years and one‐quarter aged under 34 years old.
Around 600 new workers per year will be required by the industry between 2008 and 2017.

Jobs in the industry range from:

Operatives – Assistant to a Team Leader (under instruction)
Team Leader Main Layer – Installing and maintaining main gas pipe work
Team Leader Service Layer – Installing and maintaining pipe work from a main gas pipe to the meter.
Technician – Controls resources and also involved in complex technical jobs

National and regional data

East Midlands – There are around 1,000 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in a very small number of companies. Just over 12,000 workers are also employed in the gas (Utilisation) industry in 5,700 companies.

East of England – There are around 2,500 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in the region in a very small number of companies. 9,700 workers are also employed in the gas (Utilisation) industry in 4,300 companies. Many of the industry’s contractors/supply chain are based in the region, making it strategically important to the industry.

London – There are around 1,500 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in the region in a very small number of companies. 11,100 workers are also employed in the gas (downstream) industry in 5,200 companies.

North East – There are around 1,000 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in the region in a very small number of companies. 5,100 workers are also employed in the gas (Utilisation) industry in 1,800 companies.

North West – There are around 1,500 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in the region in a small number of companies. 14,900 workers are also employed in the gas (Utilisation) industry in 5,800 companies.

South East – There are around 3,500 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in the region in a small number of companies. 10,600 workers are also employed in the gas (Utilisation) industry in 5,000 companies.

South West – There are around 1,500 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in the South West region in a very small number of companies. 20,200 workers are also employed in the gas (Utilisation) industry in 7,800 companies.

West Midlands – There are around 4,000 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in the West Midlands region in a small number of companies. Around 11,000 workers are also employed in the gas (Utilisation) industry in 4,400 companies.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are around 2,000 people employed in the gas (Transmission and Distribution) industry in the region in a small number of companies. Around 11,000 workers are also employed in the gas (Utilisation) industry in 4,400 companies.