Trainee First Call Operative

Wales & West Utilities; Torquay; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A gas distribution company is seeking experienced gas engineers in Torquay. You will respond to gas leaks, perform emergency services, and need at least one ACS qualification. This role offers a full-time contract with a salary ranging from £38,208 to £40,617, plus the opportunity for overtime and additional benefits including a structured pay framework and flexible benefits package.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Retirement Savings Plan with employer matching

Annual salary review

Company vehicle and tools provided

Comprehensive training offered

Qualifications

• A minimum of one ACS qualification.
• A full valid driving licence.
• Willingness to work various shift patterns including weekends and evenings.
• Energy to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Keen sense of pride in delivering great customer service.
• Commitment to undertaking necessary training and upskilling.

Responsibilities

• Respond to gas leaks and emergencies.
• Classify and defer gas escapes and perform tests.
• Install, maintain, replace, and remove gas meters.

Skills

Gas safety knowledge

Customer service skills

Teamwork

Adaptability to weather conditions

Education

ACS qualification (e.g., MET1 & CMA1, CCN1)

Tools

Gas detection tools

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Job description

Location

Torquay

Salary

£38,208 - £40,617

Contract

Permanent (Full Time)

Closing date

18th August 2025

Working hours

7.75 hours per day, 38.75 hours per week Monday to Friday between our core working hours 7.00am – 5.30pm. There is also a requirement to work various shift patterns where required which includes weekend and evening work, and participation in a 24/7 standby rota.

Accessibility

We know that reading through job adverts can sometimes be a lot to take in, so to help make things easier, we have added a digital accessibility tool to the top of the page where you can access an audio version of this advert, change the language, font size and colour and some other tools you may find helpful. To access click on ‘Recite me’ at the top of this page. Our dedicated recruitment team are also available to provide any further support.

Who are we?

We are a gas distribution business that services the gas infrastructure across Wales and the south-west of England. We serve our customers and communities with safe, reliable, and affordable energy services whilst investing to create a sustainable future to deliver our carbon-free vision for 2050.

What we’re looking for?

We're looking for experienced gas engineers to play a big part in keeping the communities we serve safe.

We’ll trust you to:

• Play a key role in the gas emergency service responding to gas leaks and emergencies reported by members of the public.
• Participate in the provision of an emergency service which must be delivered in a safe, cost effective and efficient manner,
• Classify and, where appropriate, defer gas escapes, testing, survey and detection and diagnostic work in gas consumers premises and on our network.
• Install, maintain, replace and remove gas meters.

You can read a full job description here.

You’ll need to have:

• A minimum of one ACS qualification – such as: MET1 & CMA1, CCN1, CMET, Appliances etc
• A full valid driving licence
• A willingness to work various shift patterns which includes weekend and evening work, and participation in a 24/7 standby rota.
• Have the energy to work in all weather conditions.
• Be able to work well as part of a team.
• Have a keen sense of pride in delivering great customer service.
• Be fully committed to undertaking the necessary training and upskilling.

We would also love to hear about anything else you feel you could add or bring to the role!

As we are a safety critical organisation, all offers of employment are subject to pre-employment drug & alcohol screening.

What’s in it for you?

• Average earnings *£47k pa based on a fully qualified operational engineer (*basic starting salary of £38,208 pa, rising to £40,617 pa plus overtime and shift premium payments when fully qualified operational)
• A structured pay & competency framework which rewards skills, competence and enables development and career progression.
• Additional earnings through the standby rota plus overtime and additional work available
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays which can be tailored to celebrations that reflect your beliefs
• Retirement Savings Plan (pension) with Aviva: 5% employee contribution, with WWU doubling your contribution at 10% - totalling 15%
• 14 x salary Life Insurance linked to membership of the Retirement Savings Plan
• “Choices” flexible benefit scheme options including corporate gym memberships, dental insurance, and health cash-plans.
• Access to our Financial Wellbeing Programme - allowing you to manage your benefits flexibly to suit your financial needs.
• Enhanced pay for parental leave
• Retail discounts and cashback scheme
• Friends & Family Discount for Three Mobile and Broadband
• Colleague recognition including Annual Celebrating Excellence Awards
• Living Wage Accredited Employer
• Award winning employer for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Workplace Health and Wellbeing’ and leading the industry in championing equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Annual salary review
• An opportunity to earn a monthly bonus via our incentive scheme.
• Company Sick Pay
• In-house Occupational Health Team
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Comprehensive training
• Company vehicle (including vehicle insurance & fuel card), tools, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and uniform.

The way we do things

Our Ambition, Priorities and Values inform everything we do as a business – from our strategic planning to the performance management of our colleagues. Our values underpin everything we do and we are committed to creating a working environment that supports and fosters diversity, inclusion and equity, where all of our colleagues feel valued and supported to contribute to their full potential.

We are focused on creating a culture where it doesn’t matter about gender, race, sexuality or disability; it’s about our colleagues’ skills, the way we do things and how we live our values.

You can find out morehere.

Interested?

If you think you’d make a good addition to the team, we would love to hear from you!

To apply, click the link below.

If you would prefer to complete your application form in an alternative format such as Microsoft Word or would like to discuss the role in a little more detail, please contact us [e-mail] on 07971 038 982.

You can also ask us about flexible working practices that may be available or tell us if you have any special requirements during the application process.

Apply online now