The demand for Gas Safe Registered engineers continues to increase. The UK construction industry is growing and specialists, ‘registered’ trades in particular need to add to their numbers if they are to keep up with demand. There are many reasons for this. Here we examine 5 great reasons why many people have decided to ‘get a trade’ and become a gas engineer.
Population Explosion Leads to Boom in Construction
Increases in annual birth rate, immigration and the fact that we’re all living longer means that the UK’s population growing at a staggering rate in excess of 400,000 people per annum. Britain is building houses again and all political parties are pledging to build new homes to solve housing shortages to meet demand.
Regardless of which political party is in power, suitable and affordable housing will be a prime consideration. Labour has pledged to build 200,000 homes a year, to put this into context we are on course to build 100,000 new homes in 2013, www.theconstructionindex.co.uk, 27/09/2013.
If we are to be able to achieve these targets and keep up with the demand for new housing we need to ensure that there are enough people within the construction industry that have the right skills and qualifications by ensuring that there is enough investment in vocational education and training for all. With construction on the increase, this is a great reason to get involved and consider a career in construction.
More Houses = More Property Maintenance
So we are building more houses. This presents enough of a challenge for builders, planners and strategists. We cannot think purely in terms of construction though. Properties need to be maintained, boilers will be replaced and repaired, and every tap, toilet and bathroom fitted will leak at some point. We cannot underestimate the demand for gas safe engineers to undertake installation, maintenance and repairs as housing stock numbers continue to increase. This is another great reason to become a gas engineer.
Increasing Rental Market
The rental housing market is growing and will continue to grow, whether this is in the social housing arena or via private landlords providing a service and helping to fill the gap. All landlords are required by the Landlords and Tenants Act (1985) to ensure that their properties are fit for occupation and safe for tenants. Gas appliances in a rental property should be serviced and a gas safety certificate issued every 12 months or at a change of tenancy. With a growing rental market, there is a growing demand for such bread-and-butter work for registered gas installers. This is just one more reason to become gas safe registered with an approved course.
Huge Installation Market
Virtually every home in the country benefits from central heating powered predominantly by gas boilers. Boilers do not last forever and will be replaced every 7 – 10 years on average. Initiatives such as the Green Deal are designed to help householders swap older, inefficient boilers with new energy-efficient models. I reckon using some basic maths that if a boiler is changed just once every 10 years on average, as a nation we are installing somewhere between 2m and 2.5m new boilers every year. (I’d love to have this verified if anyone out there can help). Another great reason why gas courses for serious career professionals is a great idea.
It’s Not For Everyone
Quite rightly, stringent demands are placed on gas operatives in this country. Practising gas engineers must follow a rigorous gas training programme before they can enter the industry. This training must include demonstrable on-site experience under the supervision of a registered gas installer.
Once qualified a gas engineer must maintain up-to-date gas qualifications known as ACS. These qualifications must be renewed every 5 years. Added to that gas operatives must be registered with The Gas Safe Register, either as an approved operative, employed by a company or in his/ her own right. Gas Safe membership has to be renewed every 12 months. All of this takes an investment in time and money. Because of this requirement, the less committed fall by the wayside leaving the door open to serious individuals that understand what it takes to maintain a career as a gas safe registered engineer.
