acs gas course

[piperdave]

basically im looking into doing the acs course to get more chance of getting a decent job and decent pay as im getting taking for a mug at the moment, i have 4 and a half years experience in plumbing and heating and am getting really poor pay , ive tried ringing loads of companys but knowone is interested in taking anyone on at the moment unless they have acs, so basically i was wondering what is actually involved in the acs ?

 

[REDSAW]

welcome to the forum,
hang tight i am sure you will get some good advice.

 

[moony]

best off staying where you are and doing with there backing - just fund it yourself if they wont.

need a protfolio of gas work, assessment for ccn1 and then various add ons.

 

[piperdave]

i will be doing it off my own back because im working for small company and he is not willing to pay for me to do it, how do i go about making the gasworks portfolio is that part of a college course or do i just make it up my self if so what do they need to see in it?

anyone ?

 

[fuzzy]

i will be doing it off my own back because im working for small company and he is not willing to pay for me to do it, how do i go about making the gasworks portfolio is that part of a college course or do i just make it up my self if so what do they need to see in it?

anyone ?

the ACS is a course for experienced fitters. if your in the industry it should be ideal for you. you need to work on gas for at least 240 days (may be less with plumb quals). you dont complete a port folio, you prove your expereince by writing all your work down diary style and having it signed by the registered gas instaler working with you. then have a letter from the director ensuring that the evidence is true and correct with the blokes gas safe number and you can do the course.

be aware - they dont teach you how to be a gas fitter its just a refresher course for new entrants with 240days minimum experience or returning gas engineers

if it is a course you want then you need to do the level 3 nvq in gas or possibly plmbing which has a gas element

 

[rob jefkins]

I agree that you would benefit by going down the NVQ3 route. It will make life a lot easier for you when you ome to do your acs. Takes a bit longer and cost a few bob more but you won't be going into gas blind though.
I did it and it didn't take long to be honest. Try and get hold of an engineer who can sign off your work and keep in with him (this is the key).
I had to do at least 10 boilers, one back boiler, 10 cookers, 10 fires and some water heaters.
All the best mate

 

[piperdave]

i have done and passed the nvq level 2 6088 heating and ventilating and was told its not worth doing the level 3 as i wouldnt gain anything from it that i didnt already learn from the level 2 they told me the next step would be the gas course but i didnt look into it then as i didnt have the funds at the time,

you prove your expereince by writing all your work down diary style and having it signed by the registered gas instaler working with you. then have a letter from the director ensuring that the evidence is true and correct with the blokes gas safe number and you can do the course.

is there a criteria that this has to be done to if you know what i mean ?

I had to do at least 10 boilers, one back boiler, 10 cookers, 10 fires and some water heaters

i would struggle to do this as the company i work for hardly ever do cookers and boilers but it is something i would like to have on my own back for myself