Career Suggestion

Smart meter installer

Smart meter installers fit gas and electricity meters in customers' homes and businesses.

Average salary (a year)

£24000.0 to £38000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

42.0 to 44.0 a week

You could work

weekends on a rota

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course which can be useful when applying for a trainee job.

Courses include:

  • electrical Installation
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could start your installation career by doing a Duel Fuel Smart Meter Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This takes a minimum of one year and 2 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct Application

You can apply directly to energy companies for trainee smart meter installer jobs.

Experience and qualifications in gas or electricity installation will be useful, though this is not always essential. Employers will often give on-the-job training to the right person.

Some employers might ask for GCSEs, including maths and English, or equivalent qualifications, and good customer service skills.

More information

You can find out more about careers in the energy industry through Energy & Utilities Careers & Jobs.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • practical skills for installing equipment
  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • problem-solving skills
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • maths knowledge
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Day-to-day tasks

As a smart meter installer you could:

  • visit customers' homes and businesses to fit smart meters for gas, electricity or both
  • set up connections between the meter and heating and hot water systems
  • test equipment to make sure it's working safely
  • show customers how to use their smart meter
  • advise customers on how to be more energy efficient

We've identified this as a green job

As a smart meter installer, you'll fit smart meters which help people to monitor and reduce the energy they use. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be cramped and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear a uniform.

With experience, you could:

  • become an team leader, offering technical advice to installers
  • train new smart meter installers
  • move into gas or electrical engineering with an energy provider
  • train to install electric vehicle charging points, fit solar panels or to be an energy efficiency consultant

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