Gas Network Operative

On a gas network operative apprenticeship course, you’ll help build, maintain and repair gas network infrastructure.

Gas network operation aims to construct, maintain, and repair gas network infrastructure to provide reliable supply/service to residential, commercial, and industrial clients.

As an operator, you will make sure the site is safe for both employees and members of the public, which may include traffic management and control.

Daily, you will interact with colleagues like managers, network technicians and engineers, delivery drivers, reinstatement teams, and administrative staff.

You’ll use various powered equipment, hand tools, and plant on the job, including diggers, rollers, and forklifts. New construction sites, public roadways, and residential, industrial, and commercial structures are all examples of workplaces.

What you’ll learn

On a gas network operative apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Identify potential hazards and implement risk-mitigation strategies.
• Identify and organise activity resources.
• Follow workplace health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures, including using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment.
• Install the signs, lighting, and security.
• Make trenches to accommodate utility network services.
• Monitor and maintain the site’s conditions, which should include good cleanliness.
• Recognise, identify, and stay away from utility supply equipment and substructures.
• Check, maintain, operate, and store tools and equipment as required; notify issues as they arise.
• Communicate with colleagues and/or stakeholders, such as governmental agencies and public members, customers, and so on.
• Make use of breathing equipment.
• Use gas detection equipment.
• Execute trench installation techniques such as sheeting, lightweight, and one-of-a-kind ways.
• Organise information such as job reports and time sheets.
• Construct new and replacement gas services to internal and external service termination points using a number of techniques.
• Create new and replacement gas mains using a number of techniques.
• Turn the gas metres off.
• Repair gas assets such as valves and fittings using a number of techniques.
• Repair or replace the emergency control valve.
• Use emergency gas network protocols, including gas reading analysis.
• For gas mains and services, water extraction techniques should be utilised.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Three to five GCSEs, including maths, English and science, or equivalent qualifications.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises two distinct assessment methods: 

• Practical assessment with questioning
•  Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 2 Gas Network Operative Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.