Getting ACS

[Bridie]

I'm new on here so hello everyone

Please can someone give me some advice

I'm 28 Years old, I started a plumbing apprenticeship straight from school and worked as plumber for about 9 years. Then tried a bit of a career change that didn't work out so now need to get back in to plumbing/gas.

I have completed NVQ level 2 Heating and ventilation, I want to get my ACS Gas, I'm living in London at the moment, can anyone give some advice on how I woiuld go about getting the ACS qualification and the best place to do it?

Thanks

A

 

[Plucky]

The best bet is to contact your local assesment centre and ask them what requirements they have. You will need to be working alongside a registered installer to build up a portfolio or some form of evidence.

 

[Bridie]

Hi Plucky thanks for your help

I've been looking at the '10 Days Approved Prior Learning & Core Gas Safety' course at Alpha BSE Training

Do you know anything about Alpha? or would anyone out there recommend them?

Thanks

A

 

[oldplumber]

You still need a portfolio of work completed to prove you have the knowledge required to be safe in your work, the gas safe inspector asks to see it when they are signing you off probation, at least my one did. After your 10 day course you should be able to do a let by and tightness test ok but what knowledge will have of stripping down an old combi with no MFIs and being able to fault find and repair it.

When will you guys learn that you can not just get it all in 10 days, knowledge and experience are needed and can only be gained working alongside someone who has experience.

I took 4 years training on day release and working on my own (plumbing) and with an rgi (gas) and have been on my own since getting rgi status and its hard work getting it right. you need back up from others in the job / mates and anyone else whos willing to help you to suceed. a 10 day course isnt going to make you competent to work successfully in this industry, thats why apprentices were invented.

Alpha and their ilk are there to get your money, not get you work, the door soon closes once youve paid. I an still go back to my college where itrained to chat to those in the know and pick their brains will alpha be so helpful.

 

[Bridie]

You still need a portfolio of work completed to prove you have the knowledge required to be safe in your work, the gas safe inspector asks to see it when they are signing you off probation, at least my one did. After your 10 day course you should be able to do a let by and tightness test ok but what knowledge will have of stripping down an old combi with no MFIs and being able to fault find and repair it.

When will you guys learn that you can not just get it all in 10 days, knowledge and experience are needed and can only be gained working alongside someone who has experience.

I took 4 years training on day release and working on my own (plumbing) and with an rgi (gas) and have been on my own since getting rgi status and its hard work getting it right. you need back up from others in the job / mates and anyone else whos willing to help you to suceed. a 10 day course isnt going to make you competent to work successfully in this industry, thats why apprentices were invented.

Alpha and their ilk are there to get your money, not get you work, the door soon closes once youve paid. I an still go back to my college where itrained to chat to those in the know and pick their brains will alpha be so helpful.

Well actually old plumb if you had taken the time to read my first post you would have seen that I have 9 years experience.

At the moment I'm working along side a gas fitter stripping down old combi's, fault finding and repairing them.

I just wanted some advice on where to go to do the ACS course.

 

[REDSAW]

i believe you will be a cat2 and need 6 months not 10 days to get acs acred. but i may be wrong obviously..

 

[newbie1]

unless you have a written qualification you will be cat 3 and need a certificated pre acs course and a portfolio of evidence allong the lines of
6 repairs
6 service
6 installs
just for ccn1/cen1
all written up and signed by a rgi and also at least 2 open flue evidence jobs

 

[Bridie]

Thanks for your help guys

Looking in to it today

A

 

[oldplumber]

I did read your post bridie and the point iwas trying to get across is time served with a rgi is the only real way to gain experience for going onto do the ACS quals. These short course providers are only in it for the money and if you approuch one of the local colleges that train the apprentices and do their own short courses, you could get onto a level 3 6129/nvq 3 which they pay for if your circumstances warrant their help ie low income/working tax credit receiver and then they somtimes will offer a discounted acs scheme, which is how I acheived the acs quals, costing me around £400 for ccn1 and 5 appliances, unvented cylinders and approved plumber scheme quals. It takes longer, you gain longer in the job prior to launching on your own and you dont line the pockets of another academey of promises. Good luck which ever route you choose

 

[elite gas man]

go to gas logic in northolt london they'll sort all your trainning requirements out.

 

[REDSAW]

go to gas logic in northolt london they'll sort all your trainning requirements out.

is that the same co/ as in mansfield notts is it?.