How Much Does It Cost To Become A Gas Engineer

They say that you don’t get something for nothing. This is true of any situation including training as a gas engineer. If you want to forge a career in this industry, then you have to be willing to make an investment in your future.

There are several costs involved in becoming a gas engineer. These include fees to get on the Gas Safety Register as well as course fees for your training.

Many people feel that paying to further your career is a little unfair. But as with anything in life, you get back what you put in. Gas engineers are earning a very handsome wage. So, once you are qualified, you stand to be in a comfortable position in a job that’s currently in very high demand.

If you have been thinking about becoming a gas engineer then this guide will tell you everything you need to know in terms of cost. Having a financial plan can be very useful in planning your training and is something we would highly recommend.

What Costs Are Involved With Becoming A Gas Engineer?

If you’re going to train as a gas engineer then there will be some initial costs involved. Don’t worry though, once qualified, your skills will be in demand and it won’t be long before you’re making your investment back. Here are some of the costs involved with becoming a gas engineer.

Training Costs

In order to become a gas engineer, you will need to complete a training course. There are many options out there and we simply wouldn’t have the time to list every course in the UK in this guide.

When choosing a course, you will need to go for something that suits your level of experience. For someone with no prior experience, you’ll need to take an entry level course that will see you come out with a Level 2 qualification and an ACS certificate. Note that any gas engineer must have an ACS certificate to become gas safe registered.

These entry level courses will vary in price depending on the provider. However, on average, you can expect to pay around £5000 plus VAT. This might sound like quite a significant investment but many providers offer flexible payment plans which can help those who cannot pay the full amount upfront.

Retraining

As we mentioned, you will need to have an ACS certificate to be Gas Safe registered. But these certificates only last for five years. After this, you will need to take a refresher course. Again, the cost of these courses will vary but on average, you can expect to pay between £900 and £1000.

Gas Safe Register

It is a requirement that you become Gas Safe Registered before you start working as a gas engineer. However, this doesn’t come for free. The application cost for this certificate is currently £362 plus VAT. You will need to wait around one week for your certificate to come through and the following must apply to you:

You have undertaken an ACS assessment.
Have done an on site gas portfolio
Have registered with Gas Safe

Is There Any Funding Available For Gas Engineer Training?

For many of us, finding the thousands of pounds it can cost to become a gas engineer can be challenging. But the good news is that the UK government has schemes in place which offer funding for some people.

If you are planning on starting a small business as a gas engineer then there are hundreds of government grants that may cover the cost of your training. You can find out more information here.

Benefits Of Being A Gas Engineer

Sometimes the cost of becoming a gas engineer can be off putting. Why would you pay all that money to make a career when you could go down other career paths that don’t cost as much?

For starters, you have to consider that, compared to something like the cost of university, gas engineer courses aren’t that expensive. What’s more, once you are qualified, you will have the opportunity to earn a decent living. In the UK, the average salary for a gas engineer is around £32,000. Although more senior engineers can earn closer to £38,000 a year.

The UK is in the middle of a trade shortage so training as a gas engineer means you will be able to fill a gap in the market.

Become A Gas Engineer For Free (Almost!)

Becoming a gas engineer doesn’t have to be a costly venture, as long as you’re willing to extend the length of your training. Becoming a gas engineer through an apprenticeship will ensure that you achieve all of the relevant qualifications and gain work experience.

The upside of this is that it comes at no cost to you as your employer will cover the cost of your training. Moreover, you’ll be paid the minimum apprentice wage for your age bracket so you’ll be earning as you learn. Do keep in mind that this wage is lower than the National Minimum Wage with most apprentices earning around £15,000.

The downside of this is that it does take a lot longer to qualify as a gas engineer. With some of the training courses we discussed above, you can be certified much more quickly than the average three years it takes to complete an apprenticeship.

Moreover, you should keep in mind that you will still need to apply for and pay the cost of your Gas Safe Register certificate. Although the cost of this is just a few hundred pounds as opposed to the thousands a training course might cost.

Conclusion

As with many careers, becoming a gas engineer doesn’t come for free. There are mandatory training courses that come at a cost. Typically, you can expect to pay around £5000 plus VAT for your training and you’ll then need to pay a further few hundred pounds to become Gas Safe Registered. Without this, you won’t be able to work so it is essential.

While the cost can feel a little intimidating, it’s worth keeping in mind the amount of money you could make once you are qualified. What’s more, there are government schemes that could help you depending on your circumstances so this is worth looking into.