National Engineering Day: Meet the People Powering British Gas

A university degree isn't the only route into engineering. British Gas apprentice Jeriah Johnson, 25, from South-West London, is earning while he trains, gaining recognised qualifications and hands-on experience. 

For National Engineering Day, he is sharing how he found his route into the industry after a squiggly career, working in a number of different sectors.

Looking for a fresh challenge and the chance to build a long-term career, Jeriah chose an apprenticeship with room to learn and progress. 

A Long Term Career

Jeriah said: “I chose an apprenticeship because I wanted to build a long-term career and develop skills that would benefit me in the future. Having worked in different industries, I reached a point where I wanted something that would challenge me and offer opportunities to grow and progress. British Gas stood out to me because it offered the chance to earn while learning, gain recognised qualifications and build a career in an industry that's constantly evolving.” 

His working day takes him into customers' homes to install and exchange gas and electric smart meters, carry out safety checks and explain how the technology works. 

The experience has changed his view of engineering: practical skills matter, but so do problem-solving and the ability to talk to customers. 

He explained: “Before starting, I thought engineering was mainly about technical knowledge and practical work. I quickly realised there's a lot more involved. From installing gas and electric meters to problem solving, communicating with customers and ensuring everything is carried out safely.” 

Learning on the job has also helped Jeriah build confidence, as he puts his training into practice in different situations. 

He said: “Every day brings different challenges, and I've learned how important it is to think on your feet, adapt to different situations and communicate effectively. The training and hands on experience I've gained have helped me build confidence and develop a much better understanding of what being an engineer involves.” 

Having found his route after trying other industries, his advice to school-leavers is not to feel pressured to have a career plan already in place. 

Jeriah said: “If I could go back and speak to my 16-year-old self, I'd tell him that it's okay not to have everything figured out." 

“At that age there's often pressure to know exactly what you want to do in life. Looking back, I wish I'd understood that everyone's journey is different and success doesn't follow a set timeline.” 

Smart metering is one of several apprenticeship routes on offer offered by British Gas. Across Centrica, 500 apprentices have joined this year, as part of our commitment to upskill 3,500 apprentices by 2030. 

The paid engineering apprenticeships span smart metering, heating installation and electrical roles, combining practical experience with recognised qualifications.