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How To Become A Gas Engineer
In The UK

Are you considering becoming a gas engineer but have questions that need answering? There’s a lot of information out there, so we’ve made it as simple as possible for new entrants.

To become a gas engineer, you should complete an accredited training course or apprenticeship, which leads to ACS qualification. From here, you can apply to the Gas Safe Register.

Still have questions? We’re answering all the common questions people ask when looking to become a gas engineer. From why you should consider the career option to how much you can earn and the career progression available.

Domestic Gas MLP
Why Become A Gas Engineer?
What Do Gas Engineers Do?
Routes Available
How Long Does It Take To Train?
Careers
Earning Potential

Why Become A Gas Engineer?

By becoming a gas engineer, you’re making a great career move. As the UK faces a continuing skills shortage, an increasing housing market and an ageing workforce, there has never been a better time to become a gas engineer.

As a career, it provides a high earning potential and job stability. In addition, you’ll become part of a supportive community of tradespeople, enjoy job satisfaction, and much more.

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There has always been a high demand for gas engineers, but it’s now higher than ever. With an increasing housing market resulting in more appliances needing to be installed, maintained and serviced, gas engineers are never short of work.

How you become a gas engineer may differ from how others have entered the trade, but it’s that what makes it such a great career choice. You can find an entry path that will suit you.

Unlike university degrees, gas training courses are affordable and allow most to enter the trade without any debt. Consequently, this makes it a more lucrative career choice as you’ll not be left paying back debt from your paychecks. 

You can work on a sub-contract basis or for yourself as a gas engineer and launch your own business. With this comes freedom, flexibility, and control that you may not get in other careers.

No two days will ever be the same when you become a gas engineer. From installing gas cookers to replacing the central heating system across a whole property, you’ll never be bored.

Gas engineers are crucial to the safety of the public. Regular gas checks and installations, maintenance and servicing by qualified and experienced engineers reduce the risk of gas leaks and other issues. Ultimately, you’ll be ensuring people are safe and warm in their homes.

There are numerous routes within the gas and heating industry, and career progression is a huge selling point of the trade.

Find out more: Heat Pump Courses

With the ability to own your own business and the career progression options, you can earn a lot of money when you become a gas engineer.

Alternatively, you could find employment with a larger company which will cover vehicle and fuel costs, saving you the expense. 

Not only will you be meeting new customers every day, but you’ll also become part of the trades community – which is one of the most supportive communities there is!

Routes To Become A Gas Engineer

Apprenticeship

A gas apprenticeship combines practical training with study.

Training will take place at your place of work, a college or online. You must spend 20% of your working hours training as an apprentice.

Apprenticeships are aimed at those aged 16 and over and generally take 1-5 years to complete.

Gas Training Course

A gas training course combines practical, hands-on training with study over a few months before you go out to work on-site.

Initial training will take place in a training centre, providing you with the essential skills, knowledge and experience in the trade before going out with a mentor. 

For more information, see our Domestic Gas Training.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Gas Engineer?

Apprenticeship

You’ll be in college and on-site as an apprentice, with a minimum of 20% of your working hours being hands-on. Typically, apprenticeships can take anywhere from one year to five years to complete and are generally aimed at those aged 16 and over.

Training Courses

Training courses can be completed in a shorter time, allowing you to earn a full wage sooner. With our training course, you’ll spend eight weeks in our centre learning essential skills and knowledge of the trade before going out on-site to build up a portfolio with your mentor. How long it takes to complete your portfolio can vary, but we estimate you could complete training in one to three years.

Domestic Gas & Renewables Training

As the industry evolves, so does demand. At Options Skills, we’ve updated our training options to include renewables heating training, helping to future-proof your career in the industry.

Our Domestic Gas Training Course consists of three simple steps.

  1. Centre-Led Training – 300 Guided Learning Hours
  2. Portfolio Building – 100 Days*
  3. ACS Initial Training – 80 Guided Learning Hours

From here, you can enrol on heat pump courses to add heat pumps, low-temp heating system design and more to your skillset!

*The duration of step two varies from person to person. How long it takes to complete your portfolio depends on your working situation. Some people can work full-time, while others can only do part-time. To complete step two, trainees must meet the portfolio criteria set.

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What Qualifications Do I Need To Become A Gas Engineer?

New Entrants

To become a gas engineer as a new entrant, you’ll combine training and experience with ACS Initial Assessment. This can include:

  • Combustion Performance Analysis (CPA1)
  • Domestic Gas Central Heating, Boilers, and Water Heaters (CENWAT)
  • Domestic Gas Cookers (CKR1)
  • Domestic Gas Fires and Wall Heaters (HTR1)

The above qualifications will certify that you have completed the necessary training and gained the skills and knowledge you need to become a recognised gas engineer. 

Typically, you will complete the following:

Theoretical Knowledge

Practical Training

Site-Based Assessment

End-point Assessment

Gas Safe Registration

Additional Gas & Heating Certifications

You also have the option of completing our Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pump Courses.

These are specific qualifications for existing qualified gas engineers and unsuitable for unqualified workers to enter the industry. 

Many gas engineers will undertake additional training to expand their skill set and branch out further into the gas and heating industry. Popular training includes:

How Much Do Gas Engineers Earn?

1 k
national average
(Source: Reed.co.uk)
1 k
London Average
(Source: Glass Door)
1 k
Senior Plumber
(Source: Checkasalary)

What Do Gas Engineers Do?

The role of a gas engineer is varied, but most people will associate gas engineers with installing and servicing boilers. While they’re not wrong, there is much more involved in domestic gas engineering.

While some engineers may choose to specialise in one area of gas engineering, such as boiler installation, this isn’t the case for all.

There is no typical day for an engineer, making it a great career choice for those who prefer not to stick to a routine. Though you’ll expect to work between standard 9-5 hours, you can set your own hours when self-employed, or you may also choose to be on a 24-hour emergency call-out. 

From servicing boilers to installing a brand-new central heating system throughout a property, there is always plenty of variety.

Plumbing As A Gas Engineer

As well as installing, servicing and maintaining various gas appliances, many gas engineers also boast excellent plumbing skills. This means that as well as gas work, they’ll be able to undertake a wide range of plumbing projects – from replacing a kitchen tap to installing a bathroom suite.

Do keep in mind, however, that it is illegal to interrupt the gas supply and undertake repairs on gas pipework or appliances in the UK unless you hold valid and current gas qualifications known as ACS Qualifications listed on the Gas Safe Register. ACS Qualifications must be renewed every five years.

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Typical Gas Engineering Tasks

No two days will ever be the same as a gas engineer. Gas engineering offers various projects and tasks, making it an exciting career that will never get boring. And, as the industry evolves, we move towards net zero, and technologies change, you’ll find there’s always something new to learn and try out.

  • Installing water, draining, and heating systems
  • Fault-finding
  • Servicing gas/oil-fired central heating systems and radiators
  • Installation, maintenance and serving of domestic appliances (e.g. showers, dishwashers)
  • Installation and maintenance of heating and cooling systems
  • Routine safety inspections
  • Issue gas certificates
  • Emergency callouts
Heating engineer updating the settings on a how water cylinder

Career Progression For Gas Engineers

As a gas engineer, you’ll install, service, maintain and repair gas appliances and complete domestic plumbing work.

Your diary will vary, from installing copper piping and connecting radiators to installing gas cookers and boilers. 

You can work on a self-employed, sub-contract or employed basis, providing plenty of flexibility in your career.

Learn more about our ACS Domestic Gas Training Course.

Many gas engineers choose to upskill in the renewable sector to expand their skills and earning potential.

As well as all the jobs a gas engineer would complete, as a heating and renewables engineer, you’ll also work on air-source and ground-source heat pumps and low-temperature heating design.

Similarly to being a gas engineer, you can work on a self-employed, sub-contract of employed basis.

After gaining their qualifications and joining the gas safe register, many gas engineers choose to specialise in one specific area of the trade. 

For example:

  • Boiler Installation
  • Kitchen/Bathroom Fitting
  • Gas Pipe Fitting
  • Underfloor Heating

Whatever part of the gas industry an engineer may choose to specialise in, they can become an expert in the field, resulting in high earning potential.

A manager is responsible for leading  their team with a company. 

As well as plumbing and gas knowledge and skills, a manager needs good customer service skills, excellent organisation, and the ability to solve problems.

They will typically oversee a team’s day-to-day, ensuring they’re suitably trained and prepared for the jobs they’re completing.

Setting up a business is the goal of many people in the trades industry. 

Business owners have complete control over their working days and hours, how much they charge, and generally, have a lot more flexibility in their work life.

How To Begin A Career In The Gas Industry

Some people prefer to begin as a plumbers’ mate to get started in the industry before earning their official gas qualifications. Others choose the apprenticeship route. Alternatively, there are training courses. Training courses are well-suited to mature students and career changers.

For example, with Options Skills, you complete eight weeks in our centre, learning essential plumbing and gas skills and knowledge. After that, you’ll go out to work on-site with a mentor.

Different routes suit different people, but training courses are typically encouraged as you can get out on-site, earn your qualifications quicker and, as a result, start earning sooner.

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5 Great Reasons To Become A Gas Engineer

1. Competitive Salary

Like most careers, your salary will vary depending on skill level and location. For example, the average gas fitter could earn up to £30,000 a year, whereas more experienced gas engineers can earn up to £50,000 a year. But, of course, if you run your own business – like 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 industry opens a lot of doors. 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’re self-employed or employed. So whichever avenue you choose, you’ll be in for a long and successful career. 

3. It’s Challenging

The nature of being a gas engineer means that it’s challenging, both mentally and physically. Success requires mental agility and problem-solving abilities, and you will have to apply your expertise to different scenarios and projects.

For example, one day, you may be working 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, gas fitters can be involved in various projects, from domestic jobs to commercial projects. So not only will the nature of your job vary, but so will your location. 

In terms of job opportunities, the domestic side involves a lot of 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, your working hours are unlikely to differ much from an office job. However, you might start a little earlier and finish later or be on a roster for emergency call-out services a few times a month. However, if you’re self-employed, you choose your hours.

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