1.1    This Specification supersedes the previous metering/emergency service provider (ESP) Natural Gas training Specification previously issued by Energy and Utility Skills (E&US). 

1.2    This Specification relates to new entrants into the gas industry wishing to become a ‘class of persons’ who will be required to undertake an industry recognised training course before being able to take an assessment to include the relevant matters of gas safety criteria to be become Gas Safe registered.

Note:  These include the following recognised routes to registration, which are:

• Nationally accredited certification scheme for individual gas fitting operatives (ACS)
• Framework qualifications
• Apprenticeship standards.

1.3        This Specification has been facilitated by IGEM and E&US and has been approved by IGEM’s Gas Utilisation Committee, Gas Measurement Committee and IGEM’s Technical Coordinating Committee. The Specification has also been approved by the Standards Consultation Forum (SCF) and the Strategic Management Board (SMB).

This Specification is a supplement to the IGEM/IG/1 Standards of training in gas work document and recognised as required in ACoP L56.

1.4    The relevant parts of this Specification are also applicable to persons wishing to extend range or scope (as defined in Guidance Note 8 (GN8)).

1.5    This Standard makes use of the terms “shall” and “should” when prescribing
requirements:

• the term “shall” prescribes a requirement which, it is intended will be complied with in full and without deviation
• the term “should” prescribes a requirement which, it is intended will be complied with unless, after prior consideration deviation is considered to be acceptable.

1.6    Requests for interpretation of this Standard in relation to matters within their scope, but not precisely covered by the current text, should be either:

• addressed to Technical Services, IGEM, IGEM House, 26 & 28 High Street, Kegworth, Derbyshire, DE74 2DA; or 
• emailed to [email protected].

These will be submitted to the relevant Committee for consideration and advice.

1.7    This Specification was published in May 2023.

2.1    This training Specification covers training for: 

• new entrants to the gas industry wishing to work in the metering and emergency service provider Natural Gas utilisation sector working within the scope of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations (GS(I&UR)) those persons currently or previously registered seeking re-certification (optional) 
• those persons wishing to extend their range (including blends of up to 100% hydrogen) or scope (refer to GN8 for onsite experience requirements). 

2.2    This Specification is designed to cover the breadth of the industry including the legal requirements, knowledge and understanding, performance criteria, and on-site work experience that will be undertaken in a work placement supervised by a Mentor, related to gas meter installations and dealing with reported gas emergencies.  

2.3    The requirements will include the minimum time spent on each subject along with the activities that are required to be undertaken. The minimum overall programme duration is four months and the maximum time spent to complete the training is expected to be two years.

Note:    There may be exceptions where apprenticeships have been designed for longer than 2 years.

2.4    Italicised text is informative and does not represent formal requirements.

2.5    Appendices are informative and do not represent formal requirements unless specifically referenced in the main sections via the prescriptive terms “should”, or “shall”.