How Long Does It Take to Be a Gas Engineer?

Training to be a gas engineer can take as little as 16 weeks depending on the route taken in your education and training.

In the UK, there’s currently is a high demand in the gas engineering field. Becoming a gas engineer is a significant step to take. Being a gas engineer is both a rewarding and lucrative career.

Before embarking on your training, it’s essential to consider the types of gas appliances you’re interested in training for, including a commercial or domestic environment.

What are the Requirements?

For you to become a competent and authorised gas engineer, you must attain your ACS gas qualification. One of the channels of becoming a gas engineer is through an apprenticeship, but it’s not the only one.

Gas Engineer Course

Although gas engineering courses do differ they typically follow this type of pattern:

Phase one comprises centre-led training which takes 300 directed learning hours
Phase two involves portfolio building, which makes 100 days
Phase three encompasses ACS Initial Training, which takes 80 guided learning hours

Once the course is completed, it’s a requirement to join the Gas Safe Register. The Gas Safe Register, which replaced CORGI in 2009, is the gas registration body. It contains the legal list of engineers and firms with obligations to work on gas appliances.

While it’s impossible to achieve professional skills instantly, training for years is also unnecessary. In recent years, many fast-track gas courses have emerged, allowing people to attain relevant qualifications within months. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) has reported a skilled worker shortage of 43% in the gas industry.

The increase in demand for these skills has resulted in people turning down jobs since there’s no room available in their schedule. This factor makes now the best time to begin gas engineering training.

So, why choose this career?

Remuneration is the priority for many people becoming a gas engineer, as the average initial pay is £32,000. That is £6,000 above the national initial average wage. The more experience you gain, the more you expect your wage to increase to as much as £60,000.

Apart from high compensation, gas engineering is also an occupation that interests people who enjoy a practical job. These types of jobs present new and exciting challenges every day. It also provides an opportunity for you to advance in your career by training more to tackle greater challenges.

If you train and become employed, you can opt for more consistency and have chances to advance to more senior positions in the firm. In Britain, few other professions can match the benefits and flexibility of a gas engineer. That’s particularly from your first day on the job. It makes it a perfect career choice for determined people who are seeking a challenge.

How hard is it to Become a Gas Engineer?

Just like any other top skilled profession, becoming a gas engineer can be hard work. Not everybody is suited for this career, and some will be better suited for it based on character and personality. The perfect candidate for this job should be willing to learn and not afraid of getting their hands dirty.

It also requires excellent communication skills accompanying your practical skills. Besides, the capacity to work independently. Problem-solving is an essential trait you that you will need. The character is not only helpful during training, but also gives you competency when working in the field.

Available Options for Gas Engineering Training

Most trainees take on of the two paths; either as an apprenticeship and a fast-track program

Traditional NVQ Apprenticeship

These are the traditional paths to the gas engineering career. This route sees you working with a firm as you study, or on the job training. However, the path is slow, and so are openings. You also will be paid as you study and the possibility to stay on and work with the firm once you are qualified.

Because of this security and income, there’s high competition for these spots. This means that getting an opportunity can be just as challenging as finishing your internship in gas engineering.

Fast-Track Directed Learning Programs

Due to the slow processes in traditional NVQ apprenticeship, people prefer to pursue faster and accessible alternatives. That makes fast-track managed learning courses the best option for trainers seeking to work in as gas engineers.

Fast-Track Managed Learning Courses are accessible throughout the country, and they offer a much quicker training process. Many can be finished in just a few months. These programs are conducted by training centres instead of companies. While you will not be compensated, you will relish more control over what you study and enjoy litheness in your growth.

At VIVA Training Academy you can be qualified as a gas engineer in just sixteen weeks. This thorough course offers you comprehensive training in that time frame, making you fully qualified with a full set of experiences to start work instantly. Increased criteria comprise HTR1, CCN1, CENWAT, CPA1, and CKR1

You have a lot of options when it comes to training as a gas engineer. Fast-track programs are growing in popularity just because of their flexibility, speed, and other benefits.

It’s advisable to think about the advantages and disadvantages of each route, then reflect on what will work best for you and your current lifestyle.