Apprenticeship training course

Gas network operative (level 2)

There are 11 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.

Information about Gas network operative (level 2)

Construct, maintain and repair gas network infrastructure, to provide a reliable supply/service to domestic, commercial and industrial users.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Utility industry structure and regulatory requirements, including the Gas Act and regulatory surveys
  • Health and safety standards, regulations and practice, including Health and Safety at Work Act, risk assessments and safe systems of work, permits to work, New Roads and Street Works Act, working in confined spaces, working at heights, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), personal protective equipment (PPE), Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), first aid, manual handling, fire safety, asbestos awareness
  • Environmental regulatory requirements: Environment Protection Act, disposal of waste and recycling
  • Principles and processes that underpin the location of utility network assets, including health and safety guidance on avoiding damage to underground utility services
  • Checks, maintenance, operation and storage requirements for commonly used gas utility network operations equipment and tools, for example utility location equipment/tools, pneumatic gun, hand/power tools – power disc cutter, chain saw, drills
  • Principles of traffic management and control
  • Excavation techniques, for example, open cut, moling, vacuum extraction. Trench support for example, proprietary systems, sheeting and mechanical
  • Procedures for the construction, testing, purging, repair commissioning and decommissioning of gas network assets
  • Procedures for gas network emergencies
  • Electrical safety, including equipotential bonding
  • Emergency services and statutory authorities – local authorities, highway authorities and Environment Agency; who they are, what they do; escalation procedures
  • Communication techniques – written, verbal; customer service techniques
  • Reporting channels; limits of authority
  • Equality & diversity considerations in the workplace
  • Data – purpose and protection, for example asset records
  • Information technology, for example to support an accurate audit trail using electronic equipment including handheld and mobile devices

  Skills

  • Identify hazards and implement controls to reduce risks
  • Interpret work instructions, engineering instructions and determine actions
  • Identify and organise resources to undertake activities
  • Comply with workplace health, safety & environmental policy and practice; including use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
  • Set out signing, lighting and guarding
  • Excavate holes for utility network services
  • Monitor and maintain site conditions, including good housekeeping
  • Identify, locate and avoid utility supply apparatus and sub-structures
  • Check, maintain, operate and store equipment and tools; report faults if required
  • Communicate with colleagues and/or stakeholders, for example, statutory agencies and members of the public, customers
  • Use breathing apparatus
  • Use gas detection equipment
  • Carry out trench installation for example, sheeting, lightweight and proprietary systems
  • Record information, for example job reports, time sheets
  • Construct new and replacement gas services to internal and external service termination positions using a range of techniques
  • Carry out squeeze off activities on gas services (low and medium pressure)
  • Construct new and replacement gas mains using a range of techniques
  • Carry out flow stopping on gas mains by use of squeeze off and bag stop
  • Disconnect gas meters
  • Repair gas assets including valves and fittings using a range of techniques
  • Join materials by electro-fusion
  • Join materials by butt fusion processes
  • Exchange emergency control valve
  • Test gas network assets at low and medium pressure
  • Purge, commission and decommission gas network assets
  • Apply gas network emergency procedures including the analysis of gas readings
  • Apply water extraction techniques for gas mains and services

  Behaviours

  • Prioritises health, safety and environment when undertaking work to safeguard life and property
  • Adaptable, for example willing to accept changing priorities and working requirements
  • Team player, for example keeps others informed, recognises personal and professional limitations and seeks advice when necessary
  • Professional, for example punctual, trustworthy, polite, courteous, presentable, maintains security of business specific and personal data and assets, takes account of equality and diversity in interactions
  • Self-motivated, for example manages own time effectively, takes responsibility to complete the job
  • Pride in work, for example works to agreed quality targets and standards
  • Customer focus, for example keeps customers informed
  • Committed to continued professional development
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Engineering and manufacturing
• Qualification level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 12 months
• Maximum funding: £9,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Gas Network Team Leader
  • Gas Repair Ream Leader
  • Servicelayer Mainlayer
  • Repair & Maintenance Operative

View more information about Gas network operative (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.