Industry professionals who are fully qualified after completing accredited gas courses may find that their employment prospects are given a boost as a result of a new investigation.
A study carried out for Gas Safe Register recently found that illegal gas fitters in Britain are performing 250,000 jobs every year without the necessary skills or qualifications.
And it is in Scotland where the work being carried out by these cowboy workers is particularly dangerous - 75 per cent of their fittings are unsafe, putting homeowners' lives in danger.
Commenting on the findings, Keith McKinlay, the body's regional investigation officer for Scotland, said: "In the wrong hands gas can kill – so always check the Gas Safe Register ID card."
He added it is "worrying to think" how many homes could be at risk of gas leaks, explosions, fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Gas Safe Register is the official organisation for gas safety in the UK and Isle of Man and is the only official list of gas engineers legally able to perform gas work on appliances.
Want to know more about our Gas Courses