Gas Foundation Course. Finding a good mentor to complete portfolio.

[OffshoreGas]

Hi Guys.
I'm about to start my Gas Foundation course in November.
There is only one concern and it is to find a good mentor to complete a portfolio. I've been told to go to the local merchants and to ask them for advise and they, probably, could get me in touch with a wright guy.
Just wondering if anyone of you gentelmen knows any other ways to find a wright person?
I'm keen and tidy, working as a Senior Technician at the moment.
Located in Shropshire, Telford.
Thanks in advance.
Ilya

If you’re an experienced plumber already speaking to your merchant probably wouldn’t hurt if you have a relationship with them.

I have quite a good report with some of the vendors I would use and a good word from them would be a good start.

 

[Dan]

Dan,

There is a lot of miss information in the market place with respect to achieving the ACS qualification that allows an individual to apply for Gas Safe registration.

The concept of the scheme (ACS) is (was) to allow people who are trained / experienced in plumbing to become proficient in Gas.

The suspected evolving issue is that individuals with a very limited background in plumbing / heating are being offered / accepted by training providers for ACS courses.

The emerging issue is that they then don’t have employment in an environment that allows / supports ongoing training to complete the required portfolio.

Generally ( in my experience ) mentors are readily available. However, to sign off an individual job on an ACS portfolio requires a registered gas safe engineer ( or one employee by a supportive company) with the relevant insurance to cover trainees. That is a big difference from the supportive semi retired engineer wanting to help be people enter the industry.

In my view any Awarding Body or Training Organisation has a duty of care to review an individuals circumstances to ensure that all the necessary requirements ( for a successful completion ) are in place before being accepted on a course.

I don’t want to be shot down in flames - but I have had a number of individuals approach me in desperation, who having worked hard to complete the theoretical sidehave no mechanisms in place to complete ( or indeed even start ) the preparation of the required portfolio.

This is not intended to be a criticism of Training Providers, but of all of us in the industry. We have a responsibility to enthuse and properly (and honestly) educate others who want to make a living in the domestic and commercial UK gas industry.

Apologies if this reads as a rant - it is not intended to be so, if it reads so please feel free to delete it.

Lovely post.

Don't worry. We have our means and ways matey.

We will have the right people in there, because we have them on the forum already.

So don't you worry about us.

PLEASE KEEP THIS ON TOPIC THOUGH NOW - FOR THE THREAD-STARTER. DON'T KEEP REPLYING TO ME IN IT. IT'S NOT MY THREAD.

 

[Dan]

Dan.
Gas safe quals are very different to come by, compared to Electritian’s and Tiler’s.
Ours is the only one that you can get prosecuted for working out of scope.
For a new applicant they need to complete a portfolio of evidence that in reality, takes about a year. This needs college training too.
Some private providers are advertising that they will get you a mentor to work beside. But they can’t find enough.
My Local college is also trying to find mentors. But my wife who works there, says they are struggling to find 5% of what’s needed.

So In reality what happens is this.
Student finishes level two at college, or does training at a private provider. Then the Lack of guys that are willing to let them work beside them becomes apparent. And nobody wants to help them, as afterwards they will be competing against them. So then the students, who have invested time and money, will work for free, or pay to learn. Thayer have no other choice.

Don't worry. We will make this work matey.

We already have the people on here to help.

PLEASE KEEP THIS ON TOPIC.

 

[Dan]

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