LEVEL 3 GAS ENGINEERING OPERATIVE (PROGRESSION ROUTE)

Duration: 24 months (plus 3 months for the End Point Assessment)

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Entry requirements

GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in maths and a D/3 in English or equivalent.
Those who have not achieved the required minimum grade in English will need to have completed this prior to taking their End Point Assessment.
Individuals with a Level 2 in Plumbing (or related subject area), or those aged 17 or above with at least 12 months plumbing experience, may be considered for entry on to this standard.

Assessment methods

End Point Assessment (EPA)
Knowledge test
Competency test
Professional review on portfolio of evidence

Progression

Upon successful completion apprentices will be eligible for the following job roles or further studies:

Gas Engineer
Gas Service Installer
Gas Service Technician
Opportunities to progress within employment or to an alternative qualification or higher apprenticeship in team leading or management are available.

Gas engineering involves the safe installation, commission, decommission and ongoing service and repair of gas appliances in either a domestic or non-domestic setting. Appliances can include but are not limited to, a range of work categories such as central heating boilers, unvented hot water storage, cookers, space heaters, meters, alternative fuel, testing and purging for domestic pipework. Roles in gas engineering will include explaining how installations and appliances work, providing energy efficiency advice and ensuring customer service excellence at all times.

Workplace behaviours development

Ensure personal wellbeing and the safety of customers and others is a priority.
Demonstrate an awareness of how the work impacts on others in the work environment.
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.
Undertake continuous professional development to enhance knowledge and skills to maintain competence.

Skills and knowledge development

Electrical awareness and be able to carry out safe isolation and essential electrical safety checks.
Combustion, combustion analysis, gas properties, carbon monoxide (CO), and types of burners.
Work in compliance with statutory and normative documentation including building regulations, water regulations and electrical regulations.
Emergency procedures, including gas escapes, report of fumes and for unsafe situations.
Demonstrate tightness testing, purging and relight procedures on gas installations.

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 in which they are competent to undertake work on. They must be registered on the Gas Safe® Register for four appliances. The standard would be suitable for those who have previously completed a Level 2 plumbing qualification or mature learners progressing within the plumbing and heating industry.

Off-the-job training

The apprentice needs to provide evidence of the learning they are receiving from the employer which is called Off the Job Learning. This needs to be a minimum of 6 hours per week. The training can include; onsite training they receive from a mentor, standard induction training and general day to day learning of new tasks. Off-the-job training can form part of regular weekly sessions or combined for larger blocks of time, depending on the approach which works best for the employer. The Learning Unlimited team can help advise on appropriate off-the-job training if required.

Months 1-12

Induction
Level 3 diploma registration
Entry skills training – underpinning knowledge, skills and behaviours
Use of work equipment
Knowledge assessment
Observations
Portfolio tasks
Mentor meetings

Months 13-24

Knowledge training – developing knowledge, skills and behaviours
Knowledge assessment

Workplace observation
Work log
Level 3 diploma on programme learning
Portfolio tasks
Mentor meetings

Months 24-27

Mock end point assessment
End Point assessment – Gas Safe® registration, competency test and work log review
Knowledge assessment

Qualifications gained

Registration with Gas Safe® register for four appliances.
In achieving a pass or a distinction in this apprenticeship, the successful apprentice will be eligible to apply for membership with the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM).