Hi Chris, <br>
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Very good topic. I will be honest and tell you the truth.<br>
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Starting with a fast track course, can work, however with sweat, blood, years of pain and suffering for you and your family.<br>
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I know, because i was one of the lads that was lured into it all. Open hands, admit my first job I blagged, couldnt even take the case off. The engineer who was watching laughed. I said wasnt my fault, not trained properly, but was willing to stick it out and learn.<br>
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From that day i was determined to know the ins and outs of everything i could in the gas industry. 6 weeks on a crash course will get you your ticket, i have seen lads who can hardly speak english pass there ACS exams,all in all looking back now years down the line, fast track is a ticket for failure and embaressment unless you are willing to sacrifice everything. The old and bold are right, the good old apprentice way with old BBU's and old gravity fed systems from years ago was the way to learn your way around domestic systems. If i knew now what i never knew back when i was young id have left school at 16 and done a proper apprenticeship. However understandibly, theres people that opt for a career change, or leave the forces at 30 that want into the industry, and then along come all your little courses that promise youl be a millionaire doing 10 services a day and 20 installs a month, nonsense.<br>
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In truth, its all down to you as an individual to how far you can go, how much work your willing to do for free. How many hours self teaching or listening to older engineers learning, practical learning is key. Alot of fast track places dont actually do alot of hands on.<br>
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Getting your ACS is the easy part, where in hindsight it should be the hardest part.<br>
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Experience, is key. But now your asking, how do i get experience to become experienced. Its a long hard road mate.<br>
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My advise would be do whatever course you feel thats beneficial, start off applying for metering jobs with big companies.Not the most glamorous job however an excellent base to start from in your first few years learning all your real basic knowledge, and of course dealing with customers, which itself is a skill you will aquire over years.<br>
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Throughout your time within a secure job who will offer training and more quals, its highly recommended to do a plumbing degree or plumbing course to enhance this side for you. If you are allowed to work in your spare time perhaps work for engineers for free on install work to get hands on, eg draining down properly, removing old systems safely and as cleanly as possibly, and getting used to doing what ever work in gas you want to do procedures.<br>
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Over years I have spent thousands of ££££ on tools, gas safe costs, insurances,consumables, etc etc etc, and am i any better off know, not really. <br>
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Self employment can work, but will take years to establish. Lads coming in straigh off the courses are underpricing and killing the the industry, its a dog fight.<br>
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Sub contracting is not that much better, lots of agencies and companies making money from you, when you have all your outgoings 270 a day that some advertise soon whittles down to very little, oh and i hope you have a good electrical knowledge as that 270 you are expected to wire up your systems as well.<br>
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However with all the hoops and hurdles never give up on your dream. Work hard, listen and learn.its a long road pal.<br>
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By anymeans not scaring ya, just telling ya the truth mate, well on my experiences anyway. Obviously there will be lads out there that have done well and alot that have given up.<br>
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All the best mate.