How Long Does It Take To Become a Gas Engineer?
More and more people in the UK are thinking about becoming a gas engineer, and one of the most common questions we get here at MGE Training is, ‘’how long does it take to be a gas engineer?” Whether you’re a school leaver or are looking for a career change, becoming a gas engineer is a great path to follow. There’s a huge demand for new gas engineers in the UK, with the potential for self-employment and a solid starting wage.
In this blog post, MGE’s engineers will answer the above question while also breaking down the different routes to becoming a gas engineer, how long each takes and what to expect along the way.
The Duration to Becoming a Qualified Gas Engineer
So… how long does it take to be a gas engineer? Well, if you choose to train with a specialist centre like MGE, you could become a fully qualified gas engineer in as little as six months. That’s the average time it takes to complete our main Gas Managed Learning Programme (MLP) course – a hands-on, in-person course that blends real-world skills with everything you need to pass your ACS (accredited certification scheme) assessment and get Gas Safe registered – all essential steps on your route to becoming a qualified gas engineer.
Why so quick with us? Well, you’ll begin with six weeks of practical training at our Dudley centre, covering everything from soldering and pipe bending to boiler diagnostics and safety procedures. After that, you’ll head out on placement with a qualified engineer to build your portfolio. Once that’s signed off, you’re ready for your assessment and can get the ball rolling with your Gas Safe registration.
For a full breakdown of what our process entails, take a look at our recent step-by-step guide to becoming a gas engineer blog.
Apprenticeship vs Training Centre
There are different paths to becoming a gas engineer that suit different people at varying stages of their careers. For example, an apprenticeship is a paid, mostly ‘in-the-field’ route, but it is much slower, and it can be tough to access for over-25s. It can take anywhere between 18 months and 4 years on average.
Training at a specialist centre like MGE with our highly experienced engineers can fast-track this process to as little as six months. There’s no waiting list, and our approach is more clearly structured and hands-on from the start. You won’t earn while you learn, but you’ll finish quicker and be out earning sooner.
Should I Use a Gas Training Centre or College?
When you’re researching how long it takes to become a gas engineer, college is also a viable route to qualification. They offer longer and more classroom-based courses that generally range from one to two years, but you may have to wait for specific intake dates to begin. The onus may also fall on you to arrange your own work placements for the practical experience element.
Training at a centre like MGE keeps everything together and simple, and we make it easier to train around your schedule. If you’re retraining around an existing job, we even run evening and weekend courses so you can fit the course around other commitments.
Why Choose a Training Centre for Gas Qualifications?
MGE’s training centre is built around gaining real hands-on experience, not just theory and classroom learning. We have full gas appliance rigs in our workshop for you to practice with, alongside highly experienced instructors who’ve been ‘on the tools’ themselves. Some are even ex-gas inspectors. Our centre is a supportive, relaxed environment where you’ll be taught the right way to do things from the very start.
We’re all about supporting you through your training at every stage, whether it be through your work placement, reviewing your portfolio regularly or even with free extra training if you need a little more time to pass. We have a 98% pass rate that we’re incredibly proud of, not to mention our glowing Trustpilot reviews. For training that sets you up to succeed, MGE is the place to do it.
Does It Take Longer To Become a Gas Engineer if I Have No Prior Experience?
Not necessarily. At MGE, we train plenty of people from all walks of life who come to our centre with no background in gas – or in plumbing, electrics and other trades – and the vast majority still qualify within six months. All our accredited gas training courses are designed for beginners, covering everything from the basics of pipework and safety procedures to diagnostics and appliance servicing.
The key factors that most affect the timeframe include your availability, confidence with hands-on work and how quickly you can build your portfolio during your work placement. You don’t need formal qualifications to get started, but a good attitude and willingness to learn will go a long way.
You’ll be supported by us every step of the way, from the workshop through to your ACS assessment. So even if you’re starting from scratch, it doesn’t mean it’ll take longer. With the right attitude and mindset, you really could be fully qualified and job-ready in just six months.
Why Train To Be a Gas Engineer?
If you’re practical, hands-on and want a job where every day is different, gas engineering is a smart move. As we’ve already touched on, there are some great reasons to train in gas engineering, not least the benefits of potential self-employment and a good starting wage of around £30,000, which will only rise as you become more experienced and further expand your skills and services.
On top of that, there is a genuine shortage of workers across all trades in the UK – gas included – and that demand will only continue to grow as the country looks towards greener tech like hydrogen-ready boilers.
Throughout our experience here at MGE, we’ve trained everyone from school leavers and career changers to experienced tradespeople, and the majority go on to enjoy stable, well-paid careers. We’ve written a blog post on good reasons to become a gas engineer to give you even more insight into why it’s a smart, long-term move.
Become Gas Safe Registered: The Process
Becoming a qualified gas engineer is about following the right steps to become legally registered and safe to work, and we’ll be with you every step of the way. Here’s a summary of what the process generally goes like:
Start Your Training: Enrol in an accredited course like our gas engineer course.
Build Your Portfolio: Gain on-the-job experience under our expert supervision.
Pass Your ACS Assessment: This practical and written exam is an essential step.
Apply for Gas Safe Registration: Submit your documents, pay the fee and start working.
For a much more detailed look at the stages, please read our step-by-step guide to becoming Gas Safe registered.
Become a Gas Engineer With MGE Training
We hope our blog post answered the question, “how long does it take to be a gas engineer?” thoroughly and completely. It really can be as little as six months. If you’re ready to take the next step, our accredited gas training courses are designed to get you qualified quickly and confidently, under the wing of engineers who’ve done the job themselves.
Our flagship gas engineering course is the place to start for new learners, but we also offer more experienced engineers the opportunity to build their skills with advanced courses like boiler fault finding, LPG training and our unvented hot water course.
We’re here to help you build a rewarding career in gas. Get started by booking your place today by calling 0121 557 7009, emailing enquiries@mgetraining.co.uk or via our online contact form.
