Non gas safe engineers

[Deleted member 25704]

This is a very bold statement when you consider the amount of Gas Safe Registered engineers who are on these forums. :innocent:

Apologies for the tone of my writing, it detracts from the point I make.
:smile5:

All I wished to explain, was GSR is a minimum standard, usually unpinned by ACS and a minimum, or very little work experience.

Most gas installers and plumbers I know, gained their competence over years, while they were working on the job - they didn't learn it in a simulated college environment in weeks. I don't accept the assessment process for competence as a reliable measure of ability or knowledge.

There are tens of thousands of gas installers without the basic NVQs or apprenticeship qualifications - I think this undermines apprenticeship as well - what about those young people doing 4 year apprenticeships?

Going forward, those who entered the gas industry in weeks, will be undermined by other gas installers entering the industry in weeks. Hence we all end up with qualifications we can do little with - because there is no work. It doesn't take an expert to work out where it is all going!

 

[anth001]

I believe that the last post is leaning towards "diluties!", as we call them. Not time served, but attained qualifications through some type of scheme, when either leaving the... ie Army, Navy or a late career change, via the dole.

i will refrain from adding any more....as i will offend people! but in all fairness....thank you "diluties", ive bought a house and nice holidays thanks to your utter buffoonery!

 

[cr0ft]

I think it's easy to say things like 'it's easy to become a gas safe engineer' or things like that. The reality is there are good and bad plumbers just like their are good and bad gas engineers. When you boil it down it comes down to this - their are good and bad people. Time-served or short course doesn't make a difference imo, it's entirely down to the attitude of the person.

It took me a long time to find a good gas fitter in Hampshire I could trust (grahamgas on here btw). Luckily the first one I've found in Lincoln is really good too. I've worked with some shocking gas fitters though, including one who left a gas leak in a garage within a house overnight, I ended up having to spot the leak for him. He was more interested on doing small jobs and leaving me to work on the big projects I was paying him to help me on.

IMO.

 

[Deleted member 25704]

Put this one in your diary for a watch, it might explain what is going on:

[DLMURL="http://feweek.co.uk/2012/03/26/panorama-takes-a-look-at-the-great-apprentice-scandal/"]Panorama takes a look at The Great Apprentice Scandal | FE Week[/DLMURL]

 

[plumbqate]

I dont do gas anymore as i didnt do enough to justify the cost. I agree that a lot of GSR engineers do lack basic knowledge and that can be said about plumbers too. I think the boom in large new build estates didnt help as guys started as apprentices and worked for 6 or more years on the same site. The problem then is they know how to do these types of houses having done hundreds of them but lack experience on anything else and the ability to think things through down to doing the same thing for years- almost like working in a factory and they get stale and just work automatically without thinking and do it that way because thats how its done rather than knowing why its done that way. You need variation of work while an apprentice to give a greater understanding of how the job is done. I admit these short training things should be banned as a " newly qualified plumber" is not a plumber if he isnt time served. He is someone who does plumbing work . The amount of random people getting Oftec registered having no previous experience of the trade is also a concern and it is ethically wrong giving these people licenses to service boilers with absolutely no trade experience whatsoever and letting them loose on joe public. In comparison after a short time training as a mechanic do you think i would be allowed to MOT cars or trucks? No because i have no experience and i could kill people if i make a mistake. Whats different about servicing boilers ?

 

[Ramjadav]

Can any tell me why we do standing, working and burner pressure tests please.

 

[villa_tom]

Can any tell me why we do standing, working and burner pressure tests please.

Are you for real?

 

[jtsplumbing]

Can any tell me why we do standing, working and burner pressure tests please.

If you need to ask this you are in the wrong job !! if you are GSR you should know the answer .

 

[Dotty]

You'll find out if and when you do your ACS.

 

[DirksPlumbing]

It is not only the newbies having a strange view on the industry. Here are a few semi retired Boys going round not bothering anymore about gas safe and the lot. Had one case where I classed the boiler as AR and offered the customer to resolve the problem which was a clear installation fault. Customer said, he is going back to the original installer who had already filled in the commissioning sheet under the influence of some real strange substances. Half a year later I was back sorting an other issue. The guy had come in, told the customer everything is OK, peeled the sticker of the Boiler and send a friend round who also told the customer everything is OK though it is still borderline ID. But since he is retired there is no come back on him. Well, the boiler cuts out on a daily base, but that is just a niggle.

 

[stevetheplumber]

i think i agree with the op it is to easy to become gsr now trouble is in this health and safety world if youve got the certificate you can get a job probably for £11 an hour but thats good when youve been getting£ 6.25