Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) is focused upon the skills agenda of the UK gas industry, in both the utilisation and transmission & distribution areas.

The total workforce for gas transmission & distribution is 20,000 and for utilisation is 123,700.

Gas (Transmission & Distribution)

In privatising the gas industry in 1986, the government's objective was to deliver lower energy costs through the introduction of competition. This led to significant changes in both ownership and structure across the industry. As a result, the last two decades have provided the regulatory frameworks and experience such that the UK leads the world in utility change and is often most used internationally as the template.

Gas (Utilisation)

This sub-sector of the gas industry is made up of a relatively small number of large employers and many SMEs and Sole Traders. Collectively these companies provide installation and maintenance services to industrial, commercial and domestic customers. Entry to the industry is via assessment of competence including both knowledge and practical skills, usually leading to an S/NVQ qualification. To achieve this, gas work experience is essential. All companies, with their employees, must be registered on the Gas Safe Register, which has replaced the old CORGI Register, to operate legally. Everyone on the Register is required to demonstrate ongoing competence in matters of gas safety, every five years.

More information about the Gas Safe Register may be found on www.gassaferegister.co.uk