gas portfolio help/employment

[fuzzy]

apperently its called pathway to gas as long as the person who trains you is not the ascesor pathway is the evidence

never heard of this, the rules on evdience are quite simple mate, dont know how they have found a loop hole but if they have it will be shut

 

[philtheflush]

i was wondering this i will find out exactly what they mean because i always thought you need evidence maybe they are telling porkies to get my money

 

[GrahamM]

I am currently undertaking a 7 month BPEC Foundation Gas Course.
It is structured round a 2 week rotation. 2 weeks classroom training and 2 weeks on the job placement.
While on the job I must undertake various tasks and take photographic evidence. I must then use this material to make up a portfolio of at least 30 jobs that will be revewed by BPEC assesors when I pass my ACS at end. I will not complete course untill my portfolio is in order.
There is also a section that contains off job training where I will be assesed on various tasks such as pipework and installing boilers etc. within the training centre.
The training center gives training discounts to employers that take us on if we strugle to gain job placements on our own.

The downside is my placement is with company that does mainly local housing association work, so after first 3 months I am fairly proficient in servicing various boilers, but have little or no instal experience.

Beggars can't be choosers!

 

[Assessor Gas]

Hello Jamie,

Much of what you hear is true. Certainly It is not possible to become an experienced engineer just by following someone around or paying large sums to spend time with an engineer. However contrary to the fear around this subject i work for a company who actually train and assess upcoming engineers in the field. This isn't just a case of getting photos to sit your ACS because even then you will be expected to spend a lengthy period of time building up real life SOLO experience before getting registered. Problem is which company is going to take you on without experience and pay you so they can teach you the ropes for a couple of years after you qualify ??? Common sense would answer that one. probably the best engineers i meet out here when i am assessing are those who have learned there trade on the tools not in classrooms. Never the less in a positive answer to your question if you select a company who's sole task is to use a qualified trainer and assessor / gas inspector to train you 1 to 1, who is then able to provide your actual on job NVQ (i.e. is out there assessing your solo competency after training) then you don't stand a chance. Most courses are training you in a classroom then expecting you or someone else to do the real work !!. I work for one of those companies that charges for its service, infact we were the 1st to start training on the job as a preferred method to in class, just as we do our own upcoming engineers, and there are those using such prices to emulate this. But these companies are on the net. When you ask them, don't ask numbers, and how long - because how long is how long it will take for you to competently prove to a gas inspector that YOU on your own can safely work on all the areas of gas you intend to work on. The scariest thing that is happening right now is that some colleges are even taking your ACS money up front, or letting you take your ACS Assessments before you have set one foot in the real world on your own. Remember Keywords when looking are " Who is doing the training, How Long !, Will i have actual certified evidence of competency by a registered assessor or field inspector not just photos. Too many unsafe engineers in the field already without the room for more.

Best Of Luck

 

[jamie1581]

Thanks

 

[grahamgas]

Jamie
How did you get on with your placement.You never called so assumed you got on well.

Graham

 

[jaguar66]

Hi Jamie
im in the same boat so i will try this approach
I am starting my tech certificate in August with a private company ntps in Hyde Greater Manchester the course is the foundation cert 6129 level 1 on completion I will be taking The work based nvq level 2 6089 as i will become self employed (before i get a smart arse comment of walk before u can run forget it) I am not a young lad and have worked on bathrooms ,kitchens etc for friends and family for years albeit as a diy freak thats my underpinning knowledge . Anyway next week i will be enrolling for the bpec gas foundation course tec level 1 at college and also the technical certificate in gas installation whichever college accepts me will most likely be the one i go with the latter course is level 2 and 3 .
Now this is my question to the members of this forum is there anybody out there that will allow me to work for them for 1 day per week unpaid of course to learn gas installations etc & to help me build my portfolio in the future the purpose initially will be to give me an incite and help me build a relationship over time offers please in or around Greater Manchester. When I am ready to go down the acs route I will need to build my portfolio so i would then require 2 days per week unpaid.thanks

 

[Assessor Gas]

Hi Jamie
im in the same boat so i will try this approach
I am starting my tech certificate in August with a private company ntps in Hyde Greater Manchester the course is the foundation cert 6129 level 1 on completion I will be taking The work based nvq level 2 6089 as i will become self employed (before i get a smart arse comment of walk before u can run forget it) I am not a young lad and have worked on bathrooms ,kitchens etc for friends and family for years albeit as a diy freak thats my underpinning knowledge . Anyway next week i will be enrolling for the bpec gas foundation course tec level 1 at college and also the technical certificate in gas installation whichever college accepts me will most likely be the one i go with the latter course is level 2 and 3 .
Now this is my question to the members of this forum is there anybody out there that will allow me to work for them for 1 day per week unpaid of course to learn gas installations etc & to help me build my portfolio in the future the purpose initially will be to give me an incite and help me build a relationship over time offers please in or around Greater Manchester. When I am ready to go down the acs route I will need to build my portfolio so i would then require 2 days per week unpaid.thanks

Hi Jaguar66, I wish you every success. You are certainly making the right moves right now. This is undoubtedly the most important part of your course, and madly enough the part that is not provided. You will have to gain sufficient experience to operate both confidently and competently all on your own when you are finished in order to actually carry out the work on your own afterwards. Getting this part of the training and assistance now is far more important than your 6129 in my opinion. Good luck finding some help here. My experience is that if you want something badly enough the doors always open.

 

[muhim123]

can u not make up the portfolio and then get a gsr to sign it all off???

 

[andyg0507]

no!! how would the training centre know you have learnt competence in your area of work

 

[Assessor Gas]

Any Field Experience must be undertaken with a suitably qualified gas fitter who has the required competency certs and is gas safe registered. It must be auditable and preferably witnessed by a registered field assessor otherwise on completion of your ACS Competency certs and without any solo experience you are not likely to get very far. Infact you will likely be expected to work with a gas company for a couple of years under their umbrella just to gain sufficient solo experience to go solo.

If you are still at your early stages then you must consider what is ahead. Your end goal is clear and achieveing it will be possible if you take the correct steps. The colleges are filled with students money, yet the field is filled with too many new guys who do not have sufficient if any solo experience, a bunch of ACS Certificates, little if any confidence, no mentoring support and A licence that can just as quickly send them to prison, as many are finding out. Unfortunately there are also a great deal of students who have their acs and no-one who wants them, far more still who never get their acs certs because they were unable to complete the most improtant part of the nvq or c&g which is the field training and assessment.

Those people who go on to be successful in this industry are more often those who are already working in it. Almost everyone starts off realising their DIY skills are good and then find a paying outllet for these skills via a local company. The plumbing qualifications should act as a motivator for you to take your existing skills, learned skills and confidence into the market. If you are self employed get your plumbing certs and get out there. Most self employed plumbers dont have any qualifications, they have confidence, and it is that which gets them to where they are. If your goal is to be a gas fitter start work as a plumber. You will soon meet up with other industry engineers who want to share work with you and vice versa.

There are loads of expanding small business gas fitters in shiny vans out there using plumbers to help them now, and paying them for their plumbing skills. These same fitters are even training their associates on the job so they can become gas registered and help share the workload. This is fact. I have met 3 gas fitters in the last 7 days who are bringing plumber mates into the gas to assist them, and in return assisting with the portfolio while the plumbers are doing their gas certs part time or day release.

My advise, get your plumbing, get in the field, get confident, meet people. You will not only be earning money but you will also be achieving your dreams. I am sure there are many people on here who would vouch for that. Doing a whole lot of college or classroom training then hoping someone will take you on 'pay free' so you can go solo is a long stretch. You may be asked to do it yourself sometime. The problem is, unless you are already in the field and your skills are of benefit to the fitter you are likely to half his income and slow their day down to a snails pace. Friends help their friends only when it benefits them too! Imagine what its like when you ask a stranger. You need to be in the field first and then you stand the highest chance of advancing confidently and competently. Doing loads of pipework, hanging radiators and plumbing in boilers is not going to get you a Gas Safe Card ! This card says that you are a representative of the HSE and are capable of identifying unsafe situations and rectifying or making safe in every house you enter, even when you are not at work. That means getting a broad band of experience on different appliances and installation types. Actually applying your theory in the field and confidently making your own decisions.

If you are already self employed, get your plumbing and start plumbing while you aim for your gas. Otherwise get your plumbing cert and find work with a gas, plumbing and heating company. they may even pay for your College training and your portfolio is no longer just a portfolio, it is proper inhouse training which is how most engineers came into this field. Unfortunately many of them have now retired and we do need some competent new blood.

Advise Only ! Follow your heart, but ask yourself the real questions. Put yourself in the gas fitters shoes and think, what would i do ?

If you are a mature student there are other options. Many Accredited Assessment centres are running managed learning programs which include work placements, but remember you still have to get that solo experience somehow and somewhere or sufficient solo assessment to go it alone safely. If its a matter of cost then i am back where i started, get out and use your current skills, then your learned skills to fund your training. The sooner you get out and meet people and can actually show them what you can do and what your value is, the sooner you will realise your dreams, and you will be building a valuable client base at the same time.

Best of Luck out there,

P.s. Just my opinion. I am sure you will get many opinions and from them all dig out the advise that best suits you.

 

[psk]

Any Field Experience must be undertaken with a suitably qualified gas fitter who has the required competency certs and is gas safe registered. It must be auditable and preferably witnessed by a registered field assessor otherwise on completion of your ACS Competency certs and without any solo experience you are not likely to get very far. Infact you will likely be expected to work with a gas company for a couple of years under their umbrella just to gain sufficient solo experience to go solo.

If you are still at your early stages then you must consider what is ahead. Your end goal is clear and achieveing it will be possible if you take the correct steps. The colleges are filled with students money, yet the field is filled with too many new guys who do not have sufficient if any solo experience, a bunch of ACS Certificates, little if any confidence, no mentoring support and A licence that can just as quickly send them to prison, as many are finding out. Unfortunately there are also a great deal of students who have their acs and no-one who wants them, far more still who never get their acs certs because they were unable to complete the most improtant part of the nvq or c&g which is the field training and assessment.

Those people who go on to be successful in this industry are more often those who are already working in it. Almost everyone starts off realising their DIY skills are good and then find a paying outllet for these skills via a local company. The plumbing qualifications should act as a motivator for you to take your existing skills, learned skills and confidence into the market. If you are self employed get your plumbing certs and get out there. Most self employed plumbers dont have any qualifications, they have confidence, and it is that which gets them to where they are. If your goal is to be a gas fitter start work as a plumber. You will soon meet up with other industry engineers who want to share work with you and vice versa.

There are loads of expanding small business gas fitters in shiny vans out there using plumbers to help them now, and paying them for their plumbing skills. These same fitters are even training their associates on the job so they can become gas registered and help share the workload. This is fact. I have met 3 gas fitters in the last 7 days who are bringing plumber mates into the gas to assist them, and in return assisting with the portfolio while the plumbers are doing their gas certs part time or day release.

My advise, get your plumbing, get in the field, get confident, meet people. You will not only be earning money but you will also be achieving your dreams. I am sure there are many people on here who would vouch for that. Doing a whole lot of college or classroom training then hoping someone will take you on 'pay free' so you can go solo is a long stretch. You may be asked to do it yourself sometime. The problem is, unless you are already in the field and your skills are of benefit to the fitter you are likely to half his income and slow their day down to a snails pace. Friends help their friends only when it benefits them too! Imagine what its like when you ask a stranger. You need to be in the field first and then you stand the highest chance of advancing confidently and competently. Doing loads of pipework, hanging radiators and plumbing in boilers is not going to get you a Gas Safe Card ! This card says that you are a representative of the HSE and are capable of identifying unsafe situations and rectifying or making safe in every house you enter, even when you are not at work. That means getting a broad band of experience on different appliances and installation types. Actually applying your theory in the field and confidently making your own decisions.

If you are already self employed, get your plumbing and start plumbing while you aim for your gas. Otherwise get your plumbing cert and find work with a gas, plumbing and heating company. they may even pay for your College training and your portfolio is no longer just a portfolio, it is proper inhouse training which is how most engineers came into this field. Unfortunately many of them have now retired and we do need some competent new blood.

Advise Only ! Follow your heart, but ask yourself the real questions. Put yourself in the gas fitters shoes and think, what would i do ?

If you are a mature student there are other options. Many Accredited Assessment centres are running managed learning programs which include work placements, but remember you still have to get that solo experience somehow and somewhere or sufficient solo assessment to go it alone safely. If its a matter of cost then i am back where i started, get out and use your current skills, then your learned skills to fund your training. The sooner you get out and meet people and can actually show them what you can do and what your value is, the sooner you will realise your dreams, and you will be building a valuable client base at the same time.

Best of Luck out there,

P.s. Just my opinion. I am sure you will get many opinions and from them all dig out the advise that best suits you.

I like your advice assessor gas