Gas Engineering Operative Level 3 Apprenticeship

This apprenticeship is suited for domestic gas engineers who install, commission, service and fault find on a range of gas appliances and domestic heating systems. Engineers’ work includes installation and maintenance of cold-water systems, hot water and unvented hot water, central heating systems and their electrical controls as part of their workplace setting. 

Apprentices will complete a Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering which includes Water Regulations (WRAS) and Unvented Hot Water (Document G) qualifications.

Duties in gas engineering will include explaining how installations and appliances work, providing energy efficiency advice, and ensuring customer service excellence at all times. Gas engineering operates strictly within the requirements of health and safety legislation.

Roles in gas engineering are physical in nature, and may involve lifting and moving of equipment, working at heights, and working in confined spaces. All gas engineers must be registered on the Gas Safe® Register for each appliance on which they are competent to work.

This apprenticeship is suitable for apprentices who are new to the industry and builds upon the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the trade in order to allow an engineer to leave the apprenticeship with the qualifications necessary to be compliant to work in the heating industry. 

Apprentices who have previously completed Level 2 or 3 Plumbing Diplomas and NVQs should expect a shorter length of time on the apprenticeship through a recognised prior learning route.

Typical job titles include Gas Engineer, Central Heating Engineer, Heating Technician, Gas Service and Repair Technician and Domestic Gas Installer. 

The apprenticeship includes a Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering qualification and, when completed, applicants who can also demonstrate current individual Gas Safe registration can apply for either a blue or gold Gas Service Engineer CSCS card with JIB-PMES.

In achieving a Pass or a Distinction in this apprenticeship, the successful apprentice will be eligible to apply for membership of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) and gain professional registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech).

You need to be highly motivated and working with at least one qualified gas engineer. The company that you work for must install, service and repair a range of gas appliances for your job role and responsibilities to allow you to provide evidence for the knowledge, skills and behaviours of this apprenticeship standard. DCG assessors will check your job description and advise accordingly. 

Entrants who already hold a Level 2 or 3 qualification in Plumbing should expect a reduced time on the apprenticeship. 

You also need a GCSE grade C/4 or above in English and Maths. 

You will undertake a basic skills test in literacy and numeracy.

A commitment to your own learning and performance in a working environment is essential.

Please note that, in line with the Consumer Act and as articulated in our Student Protection Plan, we reserve the right to close a course, if there are insufficient students to make the course viable.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

A Gas Engineering Operative will know: 

• Current Health, Safety and Environmental legislation and regulations applicable to work in the gas industry.
• Safe gas and electrical installation, commissioning, decommissioning and/or ongoing service and repair procedures of gas installations and appliances needed to establish the safe operation of the equipment and installation in accordance with industry standards.
• Gas and electrical theories and procedures involved in the practical installation, commissioning, decommissioning and/or ongoing service and repair of gas installations, appliances and associated equipment.
• Relevant electrical/mechanical principles and how they are applied in work processes and procedures.
• Up-to-date energy efficiency advice and guidance to be given to the customer.
• Product knowledge to be able to discuss with and advise the customer.
• Current regulatory compliance, current Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations and the current Electricity at Work Regulations.
• Company rules, policies and procedures as defined by the employer.

A Gas Engineering Operative will be able to: 

• Undertake and document rigorous risk assessments to ensure the safety of all affected by the work activities.
• Take personal responsibility for maintaining safety standards and achieving job objectives.
• Use and maintain tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) in a safe and appropriate manner.
• Undertake safe gas and electrical installation, commissioning, decommissioning and/or ongoing service and repair of gas installations and appliances needed to establish the safe operation of the equipment and installation accordance with industry standards.
• Work with focus and clear purpose in all conditions and locations, covering business requirements, including lone working and safely adapting working methods to reflect changes in working environments.
• Work on customer premises/property showing appropriate care and respect while focusing on safety.
• Use a variety of appropriate and effective communication methods to interact with customers and others to give/receive information accurately, in a timely and positive manner to deliver the best possible service.
• Identify where situations or conditions are to unsafe standards and take appropriate actions within their range of competency.
• Achieve individual and team tasks which align to overall work objectives, be self-motivated and disciplined in the approach to work activities.
• Work effectively and efficiently with people from different trades/disciplines, backgrounds and expertise to accomplish an activity in a safe manner, on time, to meet customer expectations.
• Identify, organise and use resources effectively and sustainably to complete the task with consideration to cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
• Read and follow technical documentation associated with equipment and installation requirements.

Behaviour required:

• Ensure personal wellbeing and the safety of customers and others is a priority.
• Be risk aware, showing the desire to reduce risks through systematic monitoring and checking information and the strict compliance with appropriate regulations and normative documents.
• Demonstrate an awareness of how the work impacts on others in the work environment.
• Confidently deliver a polite, courteous, professional service to all customers and members of the public while safeguarding customer welfare and recognising vulnerability, equality and diversity
• Undertake Continuous Professional Development to enhance knowledge and skills to maintain competence.
• Recognise personal and professional limitations and seek appropriate advice when necessary.
• Display self-discipline and a self-motivated approach.
• Exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner.

The delivery of this apprenticeship is on a day-release model over three years. Apprentices are released to the College for one day a week throughout an academic calendar year. A typical delivery schedule would consist of:

• 12 months of health and safety, common plumbing principles, key plumbing and central heating knowledge and skills.
• 24 months of delivery on water regulations, unvented hot water regulations, central heating systems and components, and gas core knowledge and appliance training.

An onsite work-based portfolio must be built in the workplace over 36 months, which consists of a range of installation, service and repair work on various gas appliances. Work-based portfolio sessions and End Point Assessment sessions are planned throughout the apprenticeship.

Functional Skills sessions would be additional to any structured timetable as needed. 

Employer mentoring occurs in the workplace, with the support and guidance of an assessor. 

You need safety boots and personal protective equipment, which should be supplied by your employer. 

As the apprentice progresses through their training, they are required to gather evidence on the full range of skills, knowledge and behaviours required and to be assessed on tasks, procedures and items of equipment in a work-based log.

Safe isolation of operational equipment for maintenance is one example of this type of competency assessment, applicable to those working in gas engineering. It is industry practice that assessments are recorded in a work log. The work log must be sufficient to evidence that the apprentice can apply skills, knowledge and behaviours required in a variety of tasks. Progress review documentation should also be included.

The apprentice’s qualified supervisor or mentor will support the development of the work log.

Within the Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering there are several exams that are completed in College. Successful completion of the work-based log and Level 3 Diploma leads up to assessment within our gas centre.  

You will then be assessed at the end of the training programme by completing an End Point Assessment. This will assess how you can apply the skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired in your apprenticeship through the following three assessments carried out after you have completed the duration of on-programme learning: 

• Knowledge test – assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), this test will consist of multiple-choice questions on a computer-based platform.
• Skills test – assessed by an Independent End Point Assessor, this assessment will assess skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired throughout the apprenticeship.
• Oral questioning – assessed by an Independent End Point Assessor following the skills test, to confirm your understanding and to obtain further evidence of knowledge.

Apprentices must complete, or have previously completed, recognised English and Mathematics Level 2 qualifications at grade A-C (4 or above).

Completing this apprenticeship will pave the way to employment and typical job titles include Gas Engineer, Central Heating Engineer, Heating Technician, Gas Service and Repair Technician and Domestic Gas Installer. 

In achieving a Pass or a Distinction in this apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) and professional registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech).

The apprenticeship includes a Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering qualification and, when completed, applicants who can also demonstrate current individual Gas Safe registration can apply for either a blue or gold Gas Service Engineer CSCS card with JIB-PMES.

You can also progress to Level 4 supervisory, management, professional and technical courses and qualifications.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk

There is no cost to the apprentice for an apprenticeship. If you are a smaller employer, you are eligible for government funding which will pay between 95% and 100% of the apprentice training costs. If you are a large employer, you can use your levy to pay for your apprenticeship training.