okay i value the have ago approach, i think instalation of bathrooms and simple pipe rerairs are something i can do.. but when you start looking at intalling heating systems choosing pumps and boilers, gas work, etc gas sasfe registration surley there are things you have to do to achieve accreditation??
I don't disagree that fuzzy's professional approach is the expected mantra, afterall Gas Safe bestowed the 'professional' title of 'Gas Safe Engineer' on a cohort of people who didn't serve apprenticeships, had questionable prior experience and only had to pass a standardised assessment in a simulated environment - the professional argument for our industry is debatable, given that 'professions' are usually associated with research, development, and autonomy to practice and self regulate.
I would be interested to know the aspects of the plumbing industry that are professional?
The reason I suggested self-learning is because of my lack of faith in qualifications gained in simulated environments. In addition, most of the curricula are made up of theoretical components that are arguably irrelevant to work situations (although they may be relevant to national occupational standards).
Join a professional/trade body as a student member and build a cpd portfolio from the free techical evenings you can attend in your area. Visit the library and take out books, look on u-tube for installation videos, take on small jobs and build your confidence - save yourself the over-head of courses.
As for gas work - all the 'knowledge' tested is 'open book', so it doesn't matter how technical the question - the answers are in the book or you can guess - 1 in 4 chance!. The practical is made up of simulated tasks that are standardised (easy to replicate) and easy to learn - hence why operatives can pass through the ACS with little prior knowledge.
I have more faith in the ability of human beings to learn on their own, than I do in the ability of human beings to learn from teachers.