How do I become Gas Safe trained and registered

[fuzzy]

well tbh if sonmeone hasnt got the gumption to research for themselves the various methods of training in gas and how to get registered i doubt their ability to master the acs as the acs testing must rank as the most stressfull thing ive ever done
there seems to be a never ending amount of
how can i become threads
incase anyone is still unsure
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF PLUMBERS OR GAS ENGINEERS
unless you have someone who is prepared to guide and nurture you in either trade you will struggle and for gods sake look on jobs plus and show me the job paying 70000 a year
stop paying out 5000 plus and expecting to be a competent anything you will be a novice and will never pay a mortgage
this may sound harsh but it is the real truth not what atraining center will tell you


and as for becoming gas safe registered secure the services of an engineer first or forgt it

ditto the above.
Read anyone of the countless 'how do i become' threads for any further info

 

[oldplumber]

well tbh if sonmeone hasnt got the gumption to research for themselves the various methods of training in gas and how to get registered i doubt their ability to master the acs as the acs testing must rank as the most stressfull thing ive ever done
there seems to be a never ending amount of
how can i become threads
incase anyone is still unsure
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF PLUMBERS OR GAS ENGINEERS
unless you have someone who is prepared to guide and nurture you in either trade you will struggle and for gods sake look on jobs plus and show me the job paying 70000 a year
stop paying out 5000 plus and expecting to be a competent anything you will be a novice and will never pay a mortgage
this may sound harsh but it is the real truth not what atraining center will tell you
and as for becoming gas safe registered secure the services of an engineer first or forgt it

Agreed with all the above and with out shouting off my own brilliance I started out plumbing seriously 6 years back, did the college bit got the nvqs by being self employed and did the gas quals by bullying peple i know to help me. binn there seen it done it and NO Sympathy to people saying its hard how do I become a plumber/gas fitter ? Get off your backsides and help yourself, if a 50 year old git can do it why cant you lot out there, there is only one thing stopping you and thats your lack of commitment!!!!!!!!!

 

[okean]

Right.... I'm not going to shout off, or go on about how hard done by I've been.

Truth is that I've only been ACS qualified for the past 8 months, and I went the quick way through a fast track course.

I had work placement with 2 local gas engineers and through EON... I did at least 35hrs for 18 weeks.

I did my exams (which are not easy, but are logical if you work safe) and passed them all.

I asked Eon at the beginning if there would be job at the end for me and they said that they couldn't tell me.... but then the recession hit and they stopped setting on. I had no choice, I had to go self employed.... which was the best thing I could have done.

I waited for my ACS certificates to be delivered, then I contacted gas safe with my registration details, and paid my fees. Within a month I was on the register and able to work. in the first 3 months I had 2 inspections from gas safe, which I passed.

For all of the people out there who say there is no work, then I would challenge that... I have worked hard to get my name about, in both the press and through local mail drops. My van has been branded well and my stationary looks very professional.

I now get 50% of my work through repeat business and recommendations. There is work out there, you just have to be prepared to work hard to get it. I don't undercut, I just take jobs that many people won't touch, and often get other jobs from it.

I don't make a fortune, and would not recommend anyone just looking to make a quick buck - but I make enough to live on, pay my mortgage and go on holidays with.

I do this work because I enjoy it, not for the money. Yes it is competitive but, if you work hard marketing yourself there is plenty of work out there.

 

[fuzzy]

Hi Okean,

You have a good atitude. you challenge people saying theres no work. Not sure thats what people mean, theres always work for some but it doesnt jump at you as youve found out, youve worked for it. I have been asked before now 'if i get my TC2 6129 will it garauntee me a job?' Thats the view we are challenging.
Plus, anyone can get work if they are cheap enough, so people can forget the 70k a year. So all in all id say you are agreeing with us

 

[okean]

Yep I agree with you.

but, if people out there want to do this job as a career I wouldn't put people off - just inform them that it is hard and never plane sailing. Do the job because you love it, not because you want to retire in 10 years... because that won't happen.

When I've got more experiance i would welcome a placement student... afterall someone gave me an oportunity, its the least I could do for someone else.

All good fun

 

[david williams]

jkay you sound let down ,i have been a plumber/gas fitter for 40 years.there is no cartel set against new plumbers/gas fitters,as a trade we have never stood together and the goverment have never moved towards proper legistration of operatives in this industry,proved to me recently by fast track plumber with bpec unvented cert who broke just about every rule you could,bpec C@G not worth paper they are printed on now,gas is much more dangerous than water in most instances.so at least that is regulated,you will have to jump through hoops to get where you want to go .but so did we, stop moaning and get on with it

 

[indigo]

I could not agree with you more. Existing gas safe fitters are controlling the industry.
This amounts to a cartel. The present system of training with a qualified gas fitter harks back to the days when British Gas had a monopoly on the gas business. It is out moded and needs urgent reform. Will the Gas Safe authority act?

 

[newbie1]

I could not agree with you more. Existing gas safe fitters are controlling the industry.
This amounts to a cartel. The present system of training with a qualified gas fitter harks back to the days when British Gas had a monopoly on the gas business. It is out moded and needs urgent reform. Will the Gas Safe authority act?

grow up mate its necesary for new starters to spend as much time as humanly possible with an experienced fitter to avoid killing someone its not done to hold people back its done to prevent pwople dying

 

[REDSAW]

cant agree more. i had the same problem with my 30:06 remmington semi-automatic rifle. had to join the army to learn how to load and pull the trigger. now the police are saying they are the only ones authorised to use them and i cant get a liscenxce?. i mean, whats that all about?. a rifle has never killed anyone on its own. gas does though.

 

[indigo]

One gas safe engineer told me that he could not help me because his insurance would not cover me and i can't get my own insurance because I am not GSR.

grow up mate its necesary for new starters to spend as much time as humanly possible with an experienced fitter to avoid killing someone its not done to hold people back its done to prevent pwople dying

I would love to train with a good engineer.But I can't find one. Unless I pay £1000 (one thousand quid) to a GSR company to produce a portfolio.
BTW. If GSR engineers are so well trained how comes at least one is struck off every week?

 

[fuzzy]

One gas safe engineer told me that he could not help me because his insurance would not cover me and i can't get my own insurance because I am not GSR.


I would love to train with a good engineer.But I can't find one. Unless I pay £1000 (one thousand quid) to a GSR company to produce a portfolio.
BTW. If GSR engineers are so well trained how comes at least one is struck off every week?

gas fitters do not make the rules, if you have issue with how the training and evidence is to be produced take it p with the sector skills council, the HSE and the awarding bodies. You cannot try to emotionallly blackmial other gas fitters into giving you what you want. they owe you nothing.

It is all self centered and full of self pity

 

[indigo]

gas fitters do not make the rules, if you have issue with how the training and evidence is to be produced take it p with the sector skills council, the HSE and the awarding bodies. You cannot try to emotionallly blackmial other gas fitters into giving you what you want. they owe you nothing.

It is all self centered and full of self pity

No.it's not self pity. This what I have been told by people running ACS gas training courses. I am not trying to blackmail anyone.
Gas fitters dont make the rules but they certainly have big say who can and who can't be a gas fitter. I cannot think of another profession with this arrangement.

 

[newbie1]

No.it's not self pity. This what I have been told by people running ACS gas training courses. I am not trying to blackmail anyone.
Gas fitters dont make the rules but they certainly have big say who can and who can't be a gas fitter. I cannot think of another profession with this arrangement.

stop feeling hard done by mate gas fitters are out there to make a living not hold your hand gas is dangerous its regulated by law so there are obstacles to be overcome in becoming an engineer.if you want something do your research beforehand not after and then start moaning
its real simple you need a portfolio to prove you have worked safely on a variety of appliances and you need a competent engineer to oversee that work
if you didnt look into that to start with then that is your fault not the engineer
stop looking for big conspiracies gas fitters are not freemasons and havnt all ganged up on new trainees
you knew what was required when you started and if you didnt then thats your fault
there is nothing stopping you pursuing a career in plumbing

 

[jpm]

No Cartel.It's simple if you sign forms for a candidate for ACS and they pass,which they will if they have the knowledge,and where to refer to.(Do I need the hassle of,you signed the forms for this person and he/she has done X?)Whichever centre they take ACS at records your details and registration.Would you want to sign your name on the dotted?Ramifications?Do your time,RS boilers are easy,servicing,flues,cookers and fires aren't.Good luck

 

[fuzzy]

No.it's not self pity. This what I have been told by people running ACS gas training courses. I am not trying to blackmail anyone.
Gas fitters dont make the rules but they certainly have big say who can and who can't be a gas fitter. I cannot think of another profession with this arrangement.

Gas fitters dont have a say, they just sign new entrants work off if they have done it. They cannot be forced into signing it if you have not done it

 

[Puddle]

If GSR engineers are so well trained how comes at least one is struck off every week?

Jonathan Shaw: The information requested is set out as follows.

Table 1: Number of registered gas installers and installers deregistered
Registered installers-- Removed from register
1999 44,736------- 62
2000 44,221------- 10
2001 44,476------- 19
2002 43,117------- 27
2003 44,141------- 10
2004 42,930------- 29
2005 47,357------- 15
2006 49,744------- 15
2007 51,249------- 17
2008 54,926------- 6

Just to put the facts straight,as you can see 1 a week if pure propaganda
spread about by unregistered terrorists
As you can see the new rules are working
However would agree some changes are required,as I have said in the past
Would add the large number at the begining was mostly electricians trying to sneak in the back door so they could do gas and electrical tests,one of the reasons reg tightened

 

[fuzzy]

Jonathan Shaw: The information requested is set out as follows.

Table 1: Number of registered gas installers and installers deregistered
Registered installers-- Removed from register
1999 44,736------- 62
2000 44,221------- 10
2001 44,476------- 19
2002 43,117------- 27
2003 44,141------- 10
2004 42,930------- 29
2005 47,357------- 15
2006 49,744------- 15
2007 51,249------- 17
2008 54,926------- 6

Just to put the facts straight,as you can see 1 a week if pure propaganda
spread about by unregistered terrorists
As you can see the new rules are working
However would agree some changes are required,as I have said in the past
Would add the large number at the begining was mostly electricians trying to sneak in the back door so they could do gas and electrical tests,one of the reasons reg tightened

great info puddle. This also proves that we have not restricted the amount of people training to become gas fitters as the total has gone up.

You say about changes, maybe one or two but i think the system is pretty good as it is and doesnt need any wholesale changes

 

[moony]

ask yourself this.....

you have your acs and your gas safe reg....

a bloke phones you up, hes been on a 12 week course you dont know him from adam you have your on reputable business based on regular customers, (you.ve also done a full apprenticeship and served so many years with an employer) he wants to start a portfolio and wants you to guide him, he is from the same area, and wants to go self employed, will probably charge cheap rates to gain business, so is also going to be a competitor. I know what i would say, first of all, the customers arent going to be happy your letting a bloke do there work (stigma about trainees doing gas, would be different if they'd seen this lad with you over the last 2 years doing his apprenticeship with you) secondly you dont know this lad from adam, you have to trust him in customers houses, thirdly insurance purposes, and lastly they say they'll work for free, but there is a load of problems with this regarding tax and employment rules.... just not worth the hassle - serve your time like i have done even when i have just turned thirty

 

[fuzzy]

ask yourself this.....

you have your acs and your gas safe reg....

a bloke phones you up, hes been on a 12 week course you dont know him from adam you have your on reputable business based on regular customers, (you.ve also done a full apprenticeship and served so many years with an employer) he wants to start a portfolio and wants you to guide him, he is from the same area, and wants to go self employed, will probably charge cheap rates to gain business, so is also going to be a competitor. I know what i would say, first of all, the customers arent going to be happy your letting a bloke do there work (stigma about trainees doing gas, would be different if they'd seen this lad with you over the last 2 years doing his apprenticeship with you) secondly you dont know this lad from adam, you have to trust him in customers houses, thirdly insurance purposes, and lastly they say they'll work for free, but there is a load of problems with this regarding tax and employment rules.... just not worth the hassle - serve your time like i have done even when i have just turned thirty

Well put

 

[LIFES A GAS]

The negative comments about RGI's put by JayK are totally unfounded. If we acted in the way he claims why would this forum ever exist? Why would we give advice to the less experienced? If we were running a cartel. I have lost count how many times I’ve seen posts from RGI’s welcoming and giving encouragement to people starting out in this industry, It’s a shame there are not the proper apprenticeships available like there was when I started out some 40 years ago but that is a sad fact of life, I wish I could pass on my experience in the same way I received it from the fitters I spent my early years with, before I was allowed to carry out work unsupervised.
Martin