This occupation is found across the energy and utilities sectors throughout the UK.
The broad purpose of this occupation is to safely install, exchange, commission, decommission and carry out ongoing maintenance of gas and electric smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems. Dual fuel smart meter installations form a key part of the UK Government mandate to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy management, supporting the overall Net Zero strategy.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation would be expected to install, exchange, commission and maintain a range of metering equipment and associated components typically in a domestic dwelling. The role is physical in nature and may involve lifting and moving equipment, working at heights, working in confined spaces and working in all weather conditions. The employee will also need to interact with other trades and other utility service providers in order to complete the required work associated with the metering installation.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for carrying out safety-critical activities whilst working in customer properties, providing customer service excellence and energy efficiency advice at all times.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a variety of people ranging from the customer, to other construction trades, utility providers, logistics support, suppliers and technical support teams.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 1 Install, exchange and commission gas and electrical smart metering systems on customer premises. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 2 Carry out routine maintenance on smart metering systems and associated equipment. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 3 Decommission gas and electrical smart metering systems. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 4 Use and maintain the appropriate tools and equipment. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 5 Respond to reported faults. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 6 Return the working area to a clean and tidy state, safely disposing of defective or damaged smart metering systems and recycling items where appropriate. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 7 Provide excellent customer service including providing advice and guidance on operating smart meters and ensuring full awareness of any disruption to power and heating provision. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 8 Provide energy and efficiency advice and guidance to enable customers to understand the benefits of smart meters. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 9 Identify vulnerable customers and direct them to the most appropriate support service for their needs. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 10 Prioritise health and safety at all times. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
K1: Health, safety and environmental legislation and regulations applicable to work in the gas and power industries including fire safety and Safety at Work Act.
Back to Duty
K2: Regulatory compliance and the recognition of different customer needs including vulnerability as defined by Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) and Retail Energy Code Schedule 16.
Back to Duty
K3: Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (IGEM G11).
Back to Duty
K4: Dynamic risk assessments, associated procedures and documentation.
Back to Duty
K5: Characteristics of different smart meter categories, associated equipment and communication systems including single phase, multi-rate, single phase off multi-phase and multi-phase (electricity); and low pressure and medium pressure (gas).
Back to Duty
K6: Installation and commissioning practices and techniques applicable to smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
K7: Fault-finding, diagnosis and rectification practices and techniques applicable to smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
K8: Decommissioning practices and techniques applicable to smart meters.
Back to Duty
K9: Tools, test equipment, ladder and access systems, and personal protective equipment.
Back to Duty
K10: Gas and electrical testing and assessment procedures needed to establish the condition of the equipment and installation, and the actions needed as a result.
Back to Duty
K11: Gas and electrical engineering theories and procedures involved in the practical application of installation, exchange, commission, decommission and maintenance of smart meter and associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
K12: Electrical and mechanical principles and how they are applied in work processes and procedures to ensure safety of self and others.
Back to Duty
K13: Fuel poverty, signs and available support. Energy efficiency measures.
Back to Duty
K14: Unsafe metering equipment, supplies and installations in accordance with both MOCoP and IGEM/G/11 procedures.
Back to Duty
K15: Signs of tamper, 3rd party interference, illegal extraction and energy theft across all aspects of meters and associated equipment.
Back to Duty
K16: Low carbon technologies used within domestic dwellings used to provide energy, heating and hot water.
Back to Duty
K17: The roles of other trades, disciplines and utility service providers associated with metering installation.
Back to Duty
K18: Sustainability and energy efficiency: green technologies, alternative fuels, energy consumption, energy ratings and how they are calculated.
Back to Duty
K19: General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Back to Duty
K20: Principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the impact on their work.
Back to Duty
K21: Principles of completing work records, maintaining asset details and customer data in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Back to Duty
K22: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them. Sector specific terminology.
Back to Duty
K23: Common issues, symptoms and warning signs of stress, anxiety and depression, including where to go for help and the resources available.
Back to Duty
K24: Principles and policies for identifying and responding to customers with fuel poverty issues.
Back to Duty
K25: Techniques and procedures for carrying out on-going maintenance of smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
S1: Install and exchange smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
S2: Commission smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
S3: Carry out ongoing maintenance of smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
S4: Identify, diagnose and rectify faults in smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
S5: Decommission smart meters, associated equipment and communication systems.
Back to Duty
S6: Carry out dynamic risk assessment.
Back to Duty
S7: Select, use and maintain tools, test equipment, ladder and access systems, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Back to Duty
S8: Apply health and safety practices. Identify and report non-compliant conditions or situations.
Back to Duty
S9: Use digital technology to access job, appliance and customer information.
Back to Duty
S10: Complete work records, maintain asset details and customer data in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Back to Duty
S11: Advise customers on energy efficiency and how to operate smart meters.
Back to Duty
S12: Communicate verbally with utility companies and other trades in order to complete tasks.
Back to Duty
S13: Identify where customers are experiencing issues around fuel poverty, and provide support and assistance through the energy provider or support services.
Back to Duty
S14: Dispose of defective smart meters or assets, and all waste.
Back to Duty
B1: Prioritise health and safety.
Back to Duty
B2: Take responsibility for work.
Back to Duty
B3: Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence in own area of practice.
Back to Duty
B4: Support an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture.
Back to Duty
English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band reviewed | 01/08/2024 | Not set |
| 1.1 | The funding band for this standard has been reviewed as part of the apprenticeship funding band review. The new funding band is £10000. The funding band for this standard has been reviewed and remains at £10000 (Jan 2019). | 03/10/2018 | 31/07/2024 |
| 1.0 | Retired | 27/08/2015 | 02/10/2018 |
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence