Hi, my personal experience of this route into the industry. Being from a property maintenance background but with no NVQ in plumbing ect, I had a good dig around, company after company OCLI ect want you to part with 5-7K for what! NOTHING!
THe IGQ is an alternative route, I was required to complete a portfolio over a 3 month period, this was on a full time basis, I was lucky enough to find an local engineer who was willing to mentor me.
The portfolio needs to be thorough, I used a service sheet template to record everything I did at the job, gas rates, burner pressure, tightness test, equipotential bonding present, ect, ect! This needs to be accompanied by photographic evidence taken by your mentor with you in the pictures.
Having a portfolio is all well and good, my assesor went through every page, hundreds of them and quized me on many accosions regarding certain jobs, situations and my assesment of the problem, the guy realy put me through my paces but in a respectful way, he had incredible knowledge and was willing to impart if you knew how to listen and show a little respect, sadly most didn't!!
The IGQ was a 5 day cours as I had completed a 3 month portfolio covering all disciplines, If you have less portfolio time the training time goes up. So I had 4 days of practical mixed with the Viper Workbook, you are given 4 mock ACS papers on the 5th day. At this point the assesor will decide if you are in his opinion ready for the ACS.
Two weeks later I completed my ACS in 5 disciplines, the 12 papers associted with the testing can be mind numbing, but they taught me one thing, READ THE MANUAL!!!!!! the information is always there!
Myself personaly feel that yes I am now competant to work with gas, but realise it is a big world out there and a lot to learn within it! I now work as a self employed heating engineer, I put a lot of time into my chosen profession as I am sure most do, also it is not the bed of roses most think it is.
The best point my tutor drummed into me was " DUTY OF CARE " this has served me well.
The IGQ and ACS cost me around £2000, that included Viper books and certification costs. Then you have your £439 Gas Safe Registration fee!!!!!!
I would just add and I am sure most know the costs don't stop there!
To operate as a sole trader in the knowledge that I the customer and myself are coverd my outgoings insurance ect are in excess of £250 pm before I make a penny.
No one knows everything and I always make a point to listen, this is just my take on things, hope it helps
Jay
