To mark National Apprenticeship Week, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) is celebrating fantastic apprentices like Erin Murphy, who are helping to keep homes throughout the region safe and warm while future-proofing its critical infrastructure to support low carbon energy.
Erin, who’s 19 and from Leeds, started her Level 2 Gas Network Operative apprenticeship in September 2024 and is planning to go on to study Level 3 Gas Network Craftsperson this September. Through the apprenticeship, she’s also studying a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Mechanical Engineering.
NGN currently have 66 apprentices and are planning to recruit a further 12 this year. In January 2025, all 24 who completed their apprenticeships secured full-time roles with NGN – either as a Mains Response Engineer, a Pressure Mechanical Craftsperson or an Electrical & Instrumentation Craftsperson.
Erin works with our teams across West Yorkshire laying new gas pipes and responding to emergency gas escapes, keeping the North of England safe, warm and connected.
Erin, who studied A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Engineering at Pudsey Grammar School, said: “When I was younger, my dad – who’s an engineer – was doing a lot of renovation work and extensions to our house. So I was always helping out, being his little labourer. I helped him with our driveway and I also helped him fix his car too, so I’ve always been hands on, fixing things and thinking about how to solve problems.
“I work with our new service teams, so often we’re working close to a new build or a property that has been disconnected from the gas network in the past, we then lay a new service.
“I also help the team locate gas escapes and learn how to fix them.
“After A levels, quite a lot of my friends were going to university, but I decided uni life wasn’t for me. I wanted to get an interesting job and earn money too. That means I can save money and get my own place quicker than my friends who have gone to uni.
“I have a friend who used to work at NGN. She spoke very highly of the company and mentioned they were looking for apprentices, so I applied for an apprenticeship, was successful and started in September 2024. I really enjoy my job, and I’m excited to go on and do my Level 3.
“Engineering is a male-dominated environment, but if you’re a female looking to go into engineering, there is nothing stopping you. If something is really heavy, it’s going to be a two-person job anyway, regardless of whether you’ve got two males or two females lifting it. The job I’m learning is down to technique and skill set rather than strength.
“My apprenticeship has helped my self-confidence massively – I used to be quite a nervous person. You’re taught so much during your apprenticeship that when you get on site and have to put it into practice, you’re confident you can do it, and that helps your confidence in all areas of your life too.
“It’s a real-world job, uni would not have given me this perspective. I’d like to eventually be a team leader and go into senior management.
“My colleagues have been so helpful, and my line managers too – they really care about my progress and ensuring I have everything I need to do well in the job.
“My dad is really proud of me!”
Erin’s manager, technician Ryan Gaunt, said: “Erin has got a really bright future, she joined the team recently and has made a great impression already. She’s very willing to get involved in everything and she’s really smart – she’s going to go far.”
Chris Adair, Apprenticeships & Training Manager at NGN, said: “National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to celebrate the fantastic impact of Erin and all of our apprentices, who are the future of this organisation. As Erin has discovered, an apprenticeship offers so much – you get to earn while you learn, you work with experienced and inspirational people and they set you up perfectly for future success, and we were very proud that all of our recent cohort have gone on to secure full-time roles with us.
“We’ve also got lots of other colleagues in our network and based at our various depots and offices who are part way through their apprenticeship journey, and I’d like to congratulate them too as they continue to work hard combining work and study. I look forward to them successfully completing their apprenticeships over the next few months and years.
“For the UK to reach our climate targets, it’s absolutely essential that we help people understand the many benefits of our industry and its varied career options which are rewarding professionally, personally and financially.”
We’ll be opening applications for our next apprenticeships later this year – to find out more about our upcoming apprenticeship opportunities and how to apply email ngncareers@northerngas.co.uk