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When many people hear the phrase “gas engineer”, they immediately think about the people who install and repair their gas boilers. While this is something gas engineers do, it is not all they do. A career in gas engineering entails a lot more than this and gas engineers with the right training can handle much more than installing and repairing gas boilers and heating systems. They work in both commercial and domestic settings, and their careers are not bound to working for a company. Some gas engineers are self-employed, which opens a lot more opportunities for them and puts their earning potential in their own hands. In this article, we will look at what a career in gas engineering entails, what gas engineers do, and how you can get on this lucrative career path.
What Does it Take to Become a Gas Engineer?
While it is obvious that gas engineers need some qualifications to get into this career, there are some personal qualities that are required. One of these is being able to adapt to different situations. You will encounter different challenges every day as every project you handle, or every problem you encounter will be different, with its own set of unique challenges. In this job, you also need problem-solving skills. You need to think creatively and out of the box sometimes because you will encounter unique challenges on the job that will require you to look at problems from different angles.
A gas engineer should also be happy and willing to help others. They should also love working with others because it is very rare to see a gas engineer working by themselves unless they are working on a very small project. Because you might have to go to people’s homes installing, repairing or servicing various heating systems or gas appliances, you need to be sociable. When you are, you will be able to work well with the property owners.
Becoming a Gas Engineer
To become a gas engineer, you need a certification that is recognised by the gas industry, as well as a Gas Safe registration. The gas industry qualifications include Level 3 NBVQs and appropriate diplomas. For the Gas Safe registration, you should have a qualification that covers all the safety requirements for the type of applications you will be working on.
Some people get into this career by undergoing a Gas Industry Apprenticeship. For these apprenticeships, you need a minimum of four GCSE’s, which must include English and Maths plus another relevant subject such as science, design technology, or engineering.
Get Some Training
When you want to make a change to a career in gas engineering, you need to have some gas training. There are lots of gas training programs available but this gas training course has been lauded for producing some of the best gas engineers in the UK. That course is from Skills Training Group, which is a leader in training gas engineers in all aspects of heating and utility servicing, repair, safety, and installation.
A typical course takes 25 weeks and will teach you both the theoretical and practical aspects of gas engineering.
What Does a Gas Engineer Do?
Gas engineers and technicians mainly work in residential and commercial settings, and their responsibilities can include:
- Replacing or repairing old parts
- Ordering new parts as may be required
- Installing different systems and appliances
- Doing scheduled maintenance tasks and checks
- Testing safety and control devices
- Finding and repairing gas leaks
- Providing advice about energy efficiency and gas safety
Besides all the above, gas engineers and technicians also give quotes on the projects they are contracted for, give estimates of the time it would take to complete tasks, sell additional services, and deal with any customer complaints.
Why You Should Become a Gas Engineer
There are several excellent reasons why you should consider becoming a gas engineer. These include:
- It is an amazing career to have – A career in gas engineering opens up a lot of prospects. This career path is also a secure one, and because the law requires that people hire Gas Safe registered engineers from time to time, you will always be in demand. You also get to choose between being hired and being self-employed.
- Competitive salary – Gas engineers often earn an above-average salary, but this can depend on their location, skill levels, as well as the roles they choose. The salary for a gas engineer ranges from £30,000 to £50,000 a year—those who choose to get self-employed earn significantly more.
- It is challenging – Due to the many roles you will be playing, the job can be very challenging, both mentally and physically. You need to have the mental ability and agility to solve complex problems, and you have to also apply your skills and knowledge in diverse environments. For example, you may be working on fixing a gas leak in a home one day and installing an industrial boiler the next day.
- Job diversity – Gas engineers do so much that there is a lot of job diversity in the industry. They can work simple domestic jobs, on huge commercial installations or be self-employed. Gas engineers also get to visit a lot of locations when they are required to do so, which means they never get bored on the job.
You Might Need Some Experience
Although a gas engineering certification can lead to a job immediately after you graduate, you might need some experience before getting hired. This is so that you can get experience in a diverse range of working environments. When looking for internship positions, try to go with a company that has people working in lots of different areas. These include both commercial and residential settings, as well as other settings where gas engineers are needed.
When you do this, you will gain the skills, knowledge, and experience of working in these diverse environments, which makes you a much more valuable hire when you start looking for a paid job.
Gas engineers are always in demand, and with the job diversity that comes with choosing this career path, there is no question as to whether it is a good career path for you.
