Network Construction Operations (Gas)
About the Scheme
The Network Construction Operations Gas scheme is an evidence-based skills scheme that provides industry and individual employers with assurance of the skills, knowledge and understanding required to perform various tasks and duties on the gas networks. The NCO registration categories reflect the different roles in all the networks.
The NCO gas scheme is for individuals working on the gas network infrastructure sites and categorises some aspects into ‘pipe size’ categories; it can also incorporate registration of an individual’s specialist skills such as Escape, Locate & Repair.
There are 3 routes to registration for the NCO (Gas) scheme:
- completion of a regulated national vocational qualification (NVQ), e.g. City & Guilds Level 2 Network Construction Operations (Gas), or
- completion of the Level 2 Gas Network Team Leader (GNTL) Apprenticeship or
- completion of the Gas Network Operative (GNO) Apprenticeship
These are available through awarding organisations and training providers and have been developed using national occupational standards/apprenticeship standards and are based on the appropriate roles.
Registration Categories – NVQ Route
The following registration categories are available for individuals who have completed the NVQ qualification route:
- Trainee
- Assistant
- Service Layer
- Mains Layer up to 180mm
- Mains Layer up to 355mm
- Mains Layer 400mm and above
- Escape, Locate & Repair
In addition to the registration categories listed above, the individual will also be registered as either ‘Self-Lay’ or ‘Distribution’ – determined by their qualification or unit certificates submitted as part of the evidence requirements.
Registration Categories – GNTL Apprenticeship Route
The following registration categories are available for individuals who have completed the GNTL Apprenticeship route:
- Service Layer
- Mains Layer up to 355mm
In addition to the registration categories listed above, the individual will also be registered for the ‘Distribution’ pathway – determined by their Apprenticeship certificate, submitted as part of the evidence requirements.
The EUSR registration will reflect the appropriate category gained.
Registration Categories – GNO Apprenticeship Route
An individual who has completed the GNO Apprenticeship route may be registered for all 3 categories:
- Service Layer
- Mains Layer up to 180mm
- Escape, Locate & Repair
In addition to the registration categories listed above, the individual will also be registered for the ‘Distribution’ pathway – determined by their Apprenticeship certificate, submitted as part of the evidence requirements.
The EUSR registration will reflect the appropriate categories gained.
Registration for Meter Disconnection
Meter Disconnection registration is for individuals working on the gas network infrastructure sites either as a Service Layer or Mains Layer and where they are required to disconnect meters as part of their role. There are 5 routes to registration for Meter Disconnection through the completion of one of the following:
- City & Guilds Unit 219
- Gas Safe ACS
- Endorsed Training Programme (ETP)
- Gas Network Team Leader (GNTL) Apprenticeship – Service Layer
- Gas Network Operative (GNO) Apprenticeship – Service/Mains Layer
Where Meter Disconnection registration is being applied for, the individual’s Employer is required by HSE/ Gas Safe to hold Gas Safe business registration that includes ‘Meter Disconnection’, and with, at least, one appropriately qualified individual recorded on the Gas Safe Register. For businesses/ employers using this route to registration, please see the requirements and process in more detail on the Meter Disconnection page.
Registration on EUSR
Registration on EUSR for the NCO (Gas) scheme is based upon the completion of an appropriate regulated vocational qualification, the GNTL Apprenticeship or the GNO Apprenticeship and where evidence for registration has been submitted and verified. For evidence requirements – see more detail under each registration category page.
Registrations for NCO (Gas) can be made either online or paper based. Online applications should be submitted using QuartzWeb, with the completed forms and evidence uploaded. Paper-based applications should include the completion of a Registration Form, appropriate evidence and a photograph must be submitted to EUSR Support, Friars Gate, 1011 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4BN or emailed to eusr@euskills.co.uk.
NCO (Gas) registration is valid for five years, with the exception of the Trainee category.
Registration for the Trainee category is for 30 months until 30th April 2025. After this date the registration period will be 12 months. Individuals may only be registered as a Trainee once.
See Registration Categories and Evidence Requirements.
Re-Registration for NCO (Gas)
An individual may be re-registered for NCO (Gas) for their existing or recently expired categories only, through an Employer Declaration. The declaration set out on the NCO (Gas) re-registration form must be signed by a Senior Officer/ Manager of the employing company who must be in a position to make such a declaration about an individual’s knowledge and skills.
Self-employed individuals – or Senior Officers – should obtain a declaration from a Senior officer on their last relevant contract.
Re-registration is valid for five years and is available for the following categories only:
- Assistant
- Service Layer
- Mains Layer up to 180mm*
- Mains Layer up to 355mm*
- Mains Layer 400mm and above*
- Escape, Locate & Repair
Re-registration on EUSR for NCO (Gas) can be made online. Online applications should be submitted using QuartzWeb, with the completed Re-registration Form and appropriate evidence uploaded into the system. Paper based applications must be submitted to EUSR Support, Friars Gate, 1011 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4BN, or emailed to eusr@euskills.co.uk
Please see our Payment Guidelines on the payment methods available.
To pay for your EUSR registration click here.
Expired Registrations
Where an individual’s registration has lapsed, we will require sight of the individual’s certificates, an up to date CV and a covering letter from the individuals employer, on letter headed paper, to confirm that the individual is still employed in the relevant role and working to the current standards.
Change of Pathway
In addition to the re-registration categories listed above, the individual will also be re-registered as either ‘Self-Lay’ or ‘Distribution’ – determined by their qualification or apprenticeship certificate, submitted as part of the evidence requirements. If you are re-registering and changing pathways, evidence of the specific units for the pathway required, must be provided.
Adding/ Increasing Pipe sizes
When re-registering, Mains Layers will be able to apply for additional pipe size categories at the same time, subject to the appropriate evidence being submitted.
Meter Disconnection
Individuals holding EUSR Meter Disconnection registration are required to also re-register for Meter Disconnection at the same time as re-registering their NCO (Gas) registration(s). Where both NCO (Gas) and Meter Disconnection re-registration is applied for at the same time, only a single registration fee is charged.
Registration Pre-requisite
All individuals must hold a valid EUSR registration for SHEA Gas.
Find Out More
If you have any queries relating to EUSR or the evidence requirements for any of our schemes or programmes, please contact the EUSR Support team. We are available Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm via email eusr@euskills.co.uk or tel: 0121 745 1310.
