Choosing a career is an invariably daunting prospect, and evaluating the pros and cons of your possibilities can sometimes be challenging. Whether you’re looking for something for the first time or wishing to retrain, the decision is always challenging as you know it will affect your life in a long-term capacity.
Exploring the avenue of gas engineering would be a wise choice. With a current shortage of Gas Safe installers in the UK today, such skills are always in demand both commercially and domestically. But, if you’re still on the fence, below are some excellent reasons why you should pursue a career in the gas industry.
1. Competitive Salary
As in most careers, engineer salaries can vary depending on your skill level, location, and the specific role you inhabit. For example, the average gas fitter could earn up to £30,000 a year, whereas very talented and successful gas engineers can earn up to £50,000 a year. But, of course, if you run your own business – a serious prospect for many in the gas trade – these figures could significantly increase.
2. It’s A Career, Not Just A Job
Choosing a career in the gas fitting industry opens you up to a whole range of diverse prospects. It’s also a secure profession with legal regulations requiring people to hire Gas Safe registered engineers to fix and service their boilers. So your skills will always be in demand.
And that demand won’t falter whether you wish to be self-employed or are looking to become part of a larger business. Whichever avenue you decide to take, you’ll be in for a long and successful career.
3. It’s Challenging
The diverse nature of being a gas engineer also means that it’s a challenging job, both mentally and physically. Success requires mental agility and the ability to solve problems, and you will have to apply your expertise to several different scenarios and projects.
For example, one day, you may be working in a home on a small boiler, and another, you could be servicing an industrial heating system in a commercial environment. Of course, this depends on your experience, but with proper training and effort, that is where the road can lead. Though challenging may sound severe, it’s what keeps the job interesting.
4. Job Diversity
As mentioned previously, gas fitters can be involved in various projects, from simple domestic jobs to huge commercial projects. So not only will the nature of your job vary, but so will your location, and you won’t be one of those people who sit in the same chair in the same office day in, day out.
In terms of job opportunities, the profession’s domestic side is mostly concerned with installation and maintenance. However, you could find yourself undertaking further training as a heating engineer. In this case, you would also be responsible for installing renewable energy options for domestic supply.
5. Flexible Working Hours
Your working hours will depend on what kind of job you take after qualifying. If you’re working for a company, the length of your working day is unlikely to differ much from an office job. You might start a little earlier and finish a little later, or you might be on a roster where you’re offering emergency call-out services a few times a month. However, if you’re self-employed, you choose your hours.
Other Things To Think About
You will probably be contracting with a company until you establish yourself in the industry. However, you will still have the variety of working in several different locations over your working day.
If you work best on your own, becoming a gas engineer is ideal, as even the most challenging domestic customers will not impact your working life for more than a few hours!
Of course, you might also have concerns about whether you’ve got what it takes; however, transferable skills and knowledge can come from even the most seemingly unconnected places. For example, suppose you’re used to working in a disciplined and organised way, adapting to new situations and locations quickly, and being good at acquiring and retaining information. In that case, you’re well on the way to having what you need to make a good start on a training course.
Domestic Gas Training & Qualifications
Before you become a gas engineer, you need to find a suitable gas training course. Courses can vary from full college courses to flexible and part-time courses completed over a more extended time. The most important thing is that you find one that suits you.
At Options Skills, we deliver our Domestic Gas Training on both a full-time and part-time basis. Full-time courses are ideal for getting you qualified as soon as possible. Part-time studies are perfect for allowing you to continue working whilst training.
A requirement for the domestic gas course is that you have on-site work experience, so look for courses that will find this work experience placement for you. Unfortunately, not all of them will, and if you don’t have contacts, it can be challenging to find an experienced mentor.
At Options Skills, we have an in-house team dedicated to placing our gas students with local mentors, allowing you to focus on completing your portfolio.
Finally, you will need to complete an ACS assessment. Once you’ve passed this, you can apply to join the Gas Safe Register.
If you’re looking for a new working adventure and want to become a gas engineer, get in touch to learn more about our training courses 0800 802 1306.
