Have you ever thought about how gas gets into your house? It travels through thousands of miles of pipes across the country and under the ground in our streets and roads.
The Job
A Gas Network Engineer is also called a Service Layer or Main Layer, depending on the size of the pipes you work on.
The role of a Gas Network Engineer involves:
- Installing, maintaining and ensuring the safety of a network of gas pipelines from suppliers to homes and business.
- Excavating roads and footpaths by hand or using mechanical digging equipment.
- Laying, repairing and relaying new pipe systems.
Have you got what it takes?
This is an outdoor job so you should not mind working in the rain from time to time! You should be able to work effectively and efficiently within a team environment.
This type of work can be very physical, involving bending, lifting and using heavy machinery so some degree of fitness is essential. A professional attitude towards the public is also very important.
The safety of you, your work colleagues and the public are the most important thing with this job so you'll need a very responsible attitude to work.
Steps to starting your career
To start a career in the industry it is recommended that you contact a local gas networks company. Details of these companies can be found on Energy Networks website.
Since each company has its own recruitment policy, you should check exact entry requirements with the company.
Some of these employers will contract an amount of their work to other companies. You may be able to find out details of their contracting companies when you make an enquiry with them.
For more tips on finding employment of work experience in the industry take a look at the Finding Employers section.
What are the entry requirements for this job?
What training will I receive?
How much will I get paid?
How can I progress in this career?
Download 'Careers in the Gas Industry' literature (PDF 186kb)
