Summary

As a Pipe Welding apprentice, you won’t be sat behind a screen; you'll split your time between learning out on site and attending dedicated training and college days. After your apprenticeship, you’ll start to take on additional responsibilities, and continue on your journey developing your craft as a Pipe Welder.

National Gas is the backbone of Britain’s energy system - that's over 7,000 kilometres of pipes forming the UK's National Transmission System. We transport gas throughout Great Britain, repair and maintain gas pipelines, and manage the meters that allow millions of homes and businesses to access the energy they need. Joining us, you'll have an important role to play in maintaining Critical National Infrastructure.

You’ll be joining National Gas Services, a specialised unit relied on by the UK and other gas companies in the event of pressure gas emergencies. This makes it a really varied role, and means you’ll get the opportunity to frequently travel across the UK and Ireland.

During this three-year apprenticeship, you’ll develop as a skilled pipe welder. You’ll learn how to:

• Weld tubes and pipes to a high standard, using a minimum of two manual arc welding processes
• Identification and the causes of typical welding defects and how their occurrence can be reduced 
• Welding quality documentation, organisational reporting systems, procedures and their role within the overall quality process
• Health and Safety in the engineering sector
• Forming and assembling pipework systems
• Preparing and using Manual Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) or Plasma Arc Welding (PAW)
• Metallurgy of steels and alloys
• Weld positions and codings
• Weld testing
• Reading technical drawings and welding symbols 

We’ll work closely with your college to review your progress at regular intervals, providing feedback and guiding your development. You’ll have a tailored, personalised plan that ensures you have appropriate support and training. The majority of your learning will be on the job, with off-the-job training and one-to-one tutoring. Your apprenticeship will end with the completion of a dissertation and an End Point Assessment.

Employment

Employer

National Gas Transmission is the backbone of Britain’s energy system today and will play a leading role in the transition to a clean energy future that works for every home and business. We own and operate the national gas network, delivering energy to where it is needed in every part of the country.

Training Provider

Training To Be Provided

Year One

During term time in your first year, you'll spend a lot of your working week away from Hitchin, studying at Ofsted ‘outstanding’ Riverside College Widnes (in between Liverpool and Manchester). You'll stay over and study during the week to learn the foundations of the trade, with all travel and accommodation expenses covered by National Gas. This means you'll need to be comfortable, and excited by, the idea of living and working away.

Year Two and Three 

In your second and third year, you’ll spend one day a week during term time, released for college. The rest of the time will be spent in Hitchin, developing your craft and learning from National Gas Experts in the field. Outside of term time, you’ll often be invited to complete additional trainings and courses as part of your National Gas journey.

How To Apply

To learn more about this apprenticeship vacancy, and for instructions on how to apply, please view the vacancy on the GOV.UK Find An Apprenticeship Service.