Gas service technician
Gas service technicians install, service and repair gas appliances and heating systems.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a gas service technician, you will:
- install gas appliances and heating systems
- carry out planned maintenance checks on systems and equipment
- test controls and safety devices to make sure they work properly
- respond to emergencies
- find and repair gas leaks, using digital fault-finding equipment
- replace or repair old and faulty parts
- complete work records
- advise customers on gas safety and energy efficiency
Working environment
You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.
Your working environment may be at height and cramped.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- move into supervisory and management roles, with responsibility for a team of engineers
- set up your own gas installation and servicing business
- do further training to become a heat pump engineer, working on alternative energy heating systems
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- practical skills for installing equipment
- problem-solving skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- be on the Gas Safe Register to work with domestic gas heating systems
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- assessment of experience by a professional body
You could do a college course that would teach you some of the skills you need to apply for a trainee position with a gas engineering company.
Courses include:
- plumbing and heating
- refrigeration and air conditioning
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
To fully qualify as a gas service technician, you'll need a recognised gas industry qualification, for example a Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance.
You will normally need to be working to complete a level 3 qualification.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
You can apply for a Gas Engineering Operative Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to train as a service technician.
This will usually take around 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time at a college or training provider.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You may be able to have your experience and skills assessed through the Accredited Certification Scheme to get a recognised competency certificate.
This assessment is aimed at experienced engineers who work in related industries, like plumbing, heating or ventilation.
Further information
You can get more advice about gas industry careers from Energy & Utilities Careers & Jobs.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.