Information for new entrants to the gas industry

Major changes that will be taking effect from 1 October 2018 will affect people who want to get into the gas industry. So if you are thinking of become a gas engineer in the not-too-distant future, read on.

New entrants are classified as anyone who has not been previously qualified or registered to work on gas in the UK. There are three categories of candidates in the gas industry; new entrants are categorised as Cat 3, which means that they have no formal qualification in gas.

The Initial Gas Qualification (IGQ) is a nationally recognised qualification designed for people wishing to work in the UK’s gas industry. From October 1st 2018, it will be the only nationally recognised qualification for new entrants in the country.

The qualification is classed as a Managed Learning Programme (MLP). It has been introduced by the Institute of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM) and has been developed in partnership with Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills).

If you are interested in learning more about the new IGQ course post October 1s1 2018, please contact us today. Established in 1997, Gas Training & Assessment (GTA) has been delivering training to the Gas industry for over 21 years and has an excellent reputation for quality and value for money in all of its training and qualification packages. GTA is a registered UK Certification Ltd Centre and is one of the UK’s national training providers to have been approved by IGEM via UK Certification Ltd to deliver the new IGQ.

From 1 October 2018, training centres that wish to offer gas qualifications to entrants to the gas industry must be registered and approved by the Institute of Gas Engineers & Managers. All approved centres must then work to the agreed standardised format and time scales.

All candidates need to undertake a minimum of 280 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) of ‘off job’ study. This is achieved by a range of in-centre study, study packs/workbooks and set homework. Candidates will then carry out extra hours for each appliance element they intend to hold. This additional time ranges from seven to twenty-one hours per element.

All candidates with also need to work alongside a qualified Gas Safe registered (GSR) engineer to gain ‘on the job’ experience and complete a portfolio of evidence. This portfolio must provide evidence of work over a minimum of 12 weeks. It needs to cover the range of activities to suit the qualification aim and the appliances that the new entrant intends to apply to work on.

Once you have achieved the Initial Gas Qualification (IGQ), you can then undertake Domestic Natural Gas ACS assessments in Core Gas Safety (CCN1) plus the elements you have had experience in working on within your portfolio and have received the appropriate training via the MLP programme.

Once you have been successful in all of the above you are able to register with Gas Safe to become a Gas Safe Registered (GSR) engineer, you will receive a Gas Safe number and identification card, which will then allow you to legally work in the Domestic Natural Gas industry in the UK.