Customer Engineering Apprentice - Gas Network

NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

Durham, Hudderfield, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Newcastle

Closes in 20 days (Sunday 28 June 2026)

Posted on 8 June 2026

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Summary

This apprenticeship gives you hands-on experience responding to gas-related issues, making homes safe and supporting customers when it matters most. It’s a practical, people-focused role where you’ll develop technical skills, sound judgement and confidence as you progress.

• Wage:

  £23,027 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salary increases upon successful completion of year 1

• Training course: Gas network craftsperson (level 3)
• Hours: Start Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm during initial training. As you progress, you’ll move onto a rotating shift pattern covering 24/7 operations, including evenings, nights and weekends.

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 14 September 2026

• Duration:

  2 years

• Positions available:

  6

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Work alongside qualified engineers in customers’ homes to carry out repairs, maintenance and installations
• Respond to gas-related issues, helping to make homes safe and identifying faults
• Learn how to diagnose problems and take the right action to resolve them
• Communicate clearly with customers, keeping them informed and reassured
• Support customers in vulnerable situations with care, patience and respect
• Complete practical training at the York Training Centre alongside on-the-job learning
• Follow safety procedures and company standards at all times
• Develop technical knowledge, confidence, and decision-making skills over time

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Northern Gas Networks, Durham, DH1 3PT
• Northern Gas Networks, Hudderfield, HD8 0AJ
• Northern Gas Networks, Hull, HU19 2AL
• Northern Gas Networks, Leeds, LS9 0SR
• Northern Gas Networks, Middlesbrough, TS1 5JJ
• Northern Gas Networks, Newcastle, NE15 8TA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

RELYON NUTEC UK LIMITED

Training course

Gas network craftsperson (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Undertake and document risk assessments in accordance with company procedures
• Comply with workplace health, safety & environmental practices and regulations, maintaining a safe and secure working environment
• Follow engineering instructions and company procedures to complete tasks safely and on-time
• Undertake inspection and examination of network assets in order to maintain the safe and compliant operation of the network to ensure the integrity, safety and security of supply
• Maintain and/or install gas engineering assets, components and associated equipment
• Install, test, purge and commission gas network assets
• Operate powered tools and equipment, such as drills, angle grinders, brush cutters and shot blasting equipment as required for network maintenance operations.
• Use approved gas detection equipment to ensure safe environment
• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and employer policy
• Obtain and analyse asset condition and performance information to facilitate decision making
• Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact
• Through risk assessment, minimise risks to life, property and the environment when undertaking work activities
• Accurately record job information, complete job reports and process
• Liaise with gas consumers, statutory agencies and members of the public in order to ensure their safety
• Accurately update company systems with details of work undertaken
• Apply electrical theories and principles and use equipment to carry out diagnostic fault finding procedures
• Inspect, maintain, repair, overhaul test and calibrate instrumentation and control equipment and circuits in accordance with company procedures
• Maintain site lighting and fixed and portable equipment which may include generators, batteries and associated equipment
• Carry out cable testing across a range of voltages to ensure safety and suitability for use
• Install, maintain and dismantle instruments, controllers, probes, attachments, cabling, meters and display units
• Configure telemetry outstation and internal systems
• Identify and resolve data quality and calibration issues
• Test, calibrate and validate fixed and portable analogue and digital instrumentation using approved procedures and standards
• Repair, maintain, configure and calibrate field instrumentation, communication devices and associated equipment used in system and process control
• Use standards and specifications to improve the information gathered by telemetry data
• Inspect and maintain security equipment, telecommunication devices and alarm systems
• Carry out isolation procedures to ensure process or system stability and the safety of personnel when carrying out operations
• Provide support to day-to-day users of instrumentation and control systems
• Ensure consistent and valid data is available for business and regulation purposes
• Apply electrical skills to install, maintain and dismantle a wide range of plant, machinery and components
• Apply mechanical theories and principles for example thermo dynamics and laminar flow theories, in order to carry out diagnostic fault finding procedures
• Carry out remote pressure monitoring & control on the gas network
• Inspect and monitor mechanical systems and equipment in order to ensure safety and suitability for service
• Undertake corrosion inspection activities
• Maintain, dismantle and repair mechanical equipment and components
• Test mechanical equipment and systems to ensure integrity, safety and security of supply
• Assist in installing mechanical systems and equipment
• Install, maintain and dismantle a wide range of complex plant, machinery and components including; pressure regulators, safety devices, system protection devices and monitoring equipment.
• Consult design specifications to analyse and calculate mechanical system parameters and rectification procedures
• Interpret plans and drawings to install, position or re-locate mechanical equipment and components
• Test, service and repair mechanical equipment as part of planned preventative maintenance and/or reactive maintenance programmes
• Install mechanical components including regulators, filters, valves, compressor equipment
• Maintain mechanical components including regulators, filters, valves, compressor equipment
• Apply pressure reduction techniques to assist in dealing with gas emergencies
• Inspect and maintain condition monitoring equipment
• Locate and avoid underground plant and equipment prior to and whilst undertaking activities
• Install signing, lighting and guarding systems
• Apply non-destructive testing theories and principles in order to carry out diagnostic fault finding procedures
• Apply the theories and principles of integrity testing, purging commissioning and de-commission of gas pipelines and associated equipment and components
• Inspect, monitor, maintain, dismantle, install and repair pipeline systems and equipment for example; flow regulators, safety devices, system protection devices, measurement devices and monitoring equipment
• Remove, repair and replace components of gas transportation pipelines and associated equipment
• Undertake corrosion prevention activities i.e. cathodic protection systems and monitoring, coating and wrapping
• Take action to prevent third parties causing damage to gas transportation pipeline assets and equipment i.e. tracing, marking, monitoring third party activities and responding to encroachments
• Liaise with relevant land owners and third parties e.g. statutory agencies and members of the public
• Consult design specifications to analyse and calculate pipeline system parameters and rectification procedures
• Interpret plans and drawings to install, position or re-locate pipeline equipment and components
• Test, service and repair pipeline equipment as part of planned preventative maintenance and/or reactive maintenance programmes
• Operate specialised tools and equipment for pipeline maintenance operations for example; in line inspection tools, damage assessment, intelligent pigging, valve repairs, flow stopping and under pressure drilling.
• Liaise with emergency services and other statutory authorities as necessary
• Organise additional resources to facilitate repairs as required
• Respond to reported pipeline gas emergencies
• Respond to public reported upstream gas emergencies, including damage to or failure of gas mains and services that supply a consumer’s premise
• Respond to public reported downstream gas emergencies, including reported gas escapes inside customers properties and reports of carbon monoxide
• Carry out site investigations in relation to gas emergencies, in line with company procedures
• Use gas detection equipment to identify gas concentrations
• Interpret gas readings to determine the safety of the site
• Apply evacuation procedures where required
• Apply the industry unsafe situations procedures
• Install and exchange gas meters and pressure regulators
• Install domestic pipework
• Tightness test, purge, commission and de-commission domestic gas pipework
• Tightness test, purge, commission and de-commission non-domestic gas pipework
• Locate and avoid underground plant and equipment whilst undertaking activities in the highway

Training schedule

• Gas Network Craftsperson Level 3
• Week 1 induction at Thorpe Park, Leeds, including HR induction, health and safety certification, equipment fitting and course enrolment
• Introduction to your manager and collection of PPE
  Weeks 2–5 working on patch, gaining on-the-job experience alongside experienced engineers
• Additional training in health and safety, mental health, safeguarding and EDI
• From week 6 onwards, full-time training at our York Training Centre
• Blended learning including classroom theory, practical training and supported on-the-job experience
• Ongoing portfolio building to support successful completion of the apprenticeship

More training information

• Training combines structured classroom learning with hands-on experience in real working environments
• Apprentices are supported by experienced engineers and training staff throughout
• Learning is designed to build technical knowledge alongside practical skills and safe working practices
• Regular support and guidance will be provided to help track progress and development

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 or higher)
• Maths (grade 4 or higher)
• Science (any) (grade 4 or higher)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Calm under pressure
• Good judgement
• Empathy

Other requirements

• Must be aged 18 or over at the point of starting the apprenticeship (for to insurance purposes)
• Full UK driving licence (or working towards one)
• Willing to travel to our York Training Centre for training
• Comfortable working in customers’ homes and varied environments
• Willing to work shifts, including evenings, nights and weekends once qualified
• Able to follow safety procedures and work responsibly

About this employer

We deliver gas to 2.9 million homes and businesses across the North East, Northern Cumbria, and much of Yorkshire, through a network of over 37,000km of underground pipes. Serving both major cities and rural communities, we are committed to safety, reliability, and innovation. Our values – Trailblazing, Empowered, Heartfelt, Community Focused, Intellectually Curious, and Happy, shape everything we do. We are proud to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, and actively support initiatives alongside our Colleague Communities (LGBTQ/Women’s/Roots&Resonance/Parents&Carers/DisABILITY) to ensure we reflect and uplift the communities we serve.

https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays & 2 extra Xmas half-days
• Flexible benefits, wellbeing support and Virtual GP
• Family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity & paternity leave

After this apprenticeship

All progression is subject to role availability and future applications, but your career could take you into:

• Progress into a qualified role within our Service Beyond the Meter team
• Develop into a fully competent Gas Operative working independently in customers’ homes
• Opportunity to take on more complex work and specialist skills
• Progression into roles such as Lead Operative or Team Leader
• Further development opportunities across the wider network

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

RELYON NUTEC UK LIMITED

ngncareers@northerngas.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035741.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Sunday 28 June 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.