Realistic Approach to Becoming a Gas Engineer

[mike1237]

Hello,

I am a serving member of the Royal Navy and I know you have probably heard this a thousand times but I want to become a Gas Engineer when I leave the navy in two and a half years time.

I am not going to waste my resettlement and educational grants on these stupid 10 week courses that teach me the theory but not the ins and outs, tricks of the trade etc....

I am looking to do the NVQ-Level 2 in plumbing because plumbing is linked to gas engineering and it will give me valuable experience.

I have looked up the qualification online and it says that I must be working as a plumber to achieve this. With my shift work with the navy in London, I can work full-time for 3 weeks out of 5, and I can do it for free because I will still be getting paid by the navy.

Would plumbing companies be interested if I were to approach them with this offer and is it feasible getting a NVQ Level 2 qualification at the age of 29.

Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Mike

 

[quality]

Do a search for armyash on here as he is in the same boat no pun intended

 

[mike1237]

Cheers. Had a quick look and yes he does seem to be in the same boat as me.

I did see that he has completed the crash courses in plumbing and gas engineering. Would it be beneficial for me to do these courses just so I would have a better understanding of what I'm doing if I went out with a company?

I would still be working towards my NVQ-Level 2 if I did do the courses.

Mike

 

[jtsplumbing]

Hi Mike, just be carefull with your money, a mate of mine came out of the Navy ,went on a 13 week course in Birmingham then got sold a Frachise deal cost him loads, he kept at it for over 2 years and give it up, only people making money was the emergency Co, do-not get drawn into the `you can make thousands` trap anything to do with the Building trade is very rocky, and not getting any better.

 

[mike1237]

Cheers. Yeah I'm definitely not getting drawn in to the hype of the crash-course companies. The wife and I have discussed it and I'm going to do the NVQ-Level 1 for a year and then do Level 2. It'll take me two years and I'll take a massive pay cut, but I think in the end it'll make me more experienced and then I can eventually go in to gas engineering. I'm only 28 at the moment so I have time.

 

[armyash]

Hi Mike just seen this thread. The thing with the courses I have done is that they were completed through the military and I was in the workshops every day monday-friday not in a civilian training centre where they want your money regardless of the end of result. In the Royal Engineers the trade training we do is phase 3 after Basic training and combat engineering. It matters that our work is up to scratch and we have to pass the tests through revision and hard work. If people failed the tests then that would be on their reports at their next units. The only downside to what I have done is that being in the army we get trade qualifications but no experience. The only reason I can see for that is the more experience we get, the more tempted people will be to sign off and follow a different career path.

My advice would be to find a plumber/gas engineer to take you on as and when you are free and enrol on the NVQ L2 at a college. Don't do one of those fast track courses, they are businesses set up for a reason. My brother was nearly duped in to it, he went to their training centre, said it all looked legit the workshops looked good, plenty of people on courses but said too much emphasis was put on actually paying for the course. I don't remember how much they wanted but it was in the thousands with 'guaranteed work placement' upon completion. My brother made the correct decision and didn't waste any money.

 

[mike1237]

I think that's sealed the deal for me. I'll use my money for something else.

Am I right in thinking that doing the plumbing NVQ is the correct way to go about getting in to gas engineering and also at what point do I become a fully qualified plumber? Is it when I complete my NVQ-Level 3?

 

[kirkgas]

Hi Mike just seen this thread. The thing with the courses I have done is that they were completed through the military and I was in the workshops every day monday-friday not in a civilian training centre where they want your money regardless of the end of result. In the Royal Engineers the trade training we do is phase 3 after Basic training and combat engineering. It matters that our work is up to scratch and we have to pass the tests through revision and hard work. If people failed the tests then that would be on their reports at their next units. The only downside to what I have done is that being in the army we get trade qualifications but no experience. The only reason I can see for that is the more experience we get, the more tempted people will be to sign off and follow a different career path.

My advice would be to find a plumber/gas engineer to take you on as and when you are free and enrol on the NVQ L2 at a college. Don't do one of those fast track courses, they are businesses set up for a reason. My brother was nearly duped in to it, he went to their training centre, said it all looked legit the workshops looked good, plenty of people on courses but said too much emphasis was put on actually paying for the course. I don't remember how much they wanted but it was in the thousands with 'guaranteed work placement' upon completion. My brother made the correct decision and didn't waste any money.

6 month full time gas foundation course with guaranteed work placement is possible IF you go to the right place, like everthing else shop around and dont get caught out

 

[kirkgas]

I think that's sealed the deal for me. I'll use my money for something else.

Am I right in thinking that doing the plumbing NVQ is the correct way to go about getting in to gas engineering and also at what point do I become a fully qualified plumber? Is it when I complete my NVQ-Level 3?

a lot of time served gas engineers dont agree that getting into gas via plumbing isnt the way to go, plumbing anfd gas can be related via central heating, but guys who have spent years fitting kitchens, bathrooms and drains know he-haw about anything from gas other than having some practical experience soldering pipes, which takes half a day in the workshop to learn then the rest of your days perfecting, working with a heating installation team would give you much more relevant practical esperience

 

[armyash]

Mike, don't be discouraged by what I have said. kirkgas says different and it might be worth shopping around if that is the sort of course you want to do. I'm just explaining what happened with my bro, that's not to say that all the training centres will be like that. Do some digging and go and check the places out for yourself and speak to the guys who are there doing the course.

 

[mike1237]

So staying away from thecrash courses, what would be people's advice on the correct career path for me to take to become a gas engineer? What NVQs etc should I do?

 

[kirkgas]

the best way is a full 4 year apprenticeship, if you dont go down that route your only option is to do a short course, just pick a good provider and speak to people who have actually completed the course NOT the slick sales force some of them have, as i have said some get you to sign up to finance package and will try to get you a placement, and if they dont manage to supply you one you cant sit the ACS exam, with your background it is more important to be taught by a good person rather than get specific NQ's etc, at the end of the day you need ACS to work in gas not NVQ's, some firms look for experience and attitude over qualifications and rightly so, of all the experts on here some say newbies cant do this and shouldnt be allowed to do this and it would be amazing to find that a lot of them are not time served themselves but went through a short course, decide where you want to end up and push for that the best way you can achieve that, you will need massive input and hard work, if that doesnt bother you then get on with it, if hard work bothers you dont attempt it, start putting yourself about to get some hands on experience to see if you like it and can actually do it, some can and some cant, gas will provide a decent job and prospects, some say there are too many already but thats not their choice for what you want to do, so decide whats best for your family and get it done, good luck

 

[desrob]

apprenticeship is the only way to learn a trade.........!and if your wondering i am time served.(kirkgas)

 

[jtsplumbing]

Hi Mike, Think about going to the Boiler manufacturers and asking if they will train you, good job if you can get in with one of them, would do it myself if younger, only 2 more years to go.
:54:

 

[leepoll]

Don't bother with level 1 mate, it just gets re-done on level 2.

 

[kirkgas]

apprenticeship is the only way to learn a trade.........!and if your wondering i am time served.(kirkgas)

im a time served plumber so you wont get any arguement from me, i spend time teaching apprentices as well as adults so i know what the best option is, as i said to the OP, but the reality is till you guys and gals who run firms start taking apprentices on then the only way in is to do a short course, it isnt for everyone, and when interviewing people for the courses we have declined peoples cash because we dont think they are coming in with the right attitude (might not be our prob, but our reputation matters when they are out there and tell people where they trained) i dont want to fight with anyone over it, but its only gas and someone with the right attitude and attitude can learn it, guaranteed, how they get on with fault finding etc will depend on who they work for and with but service and install can be taught to most people,

 

[mike1237]

........

 

[PlumbersMate]

Kirkgas do you know of any fault finding courses? Looking to start my acs soon but don't just want a qualification I want to know what im doing ie when a boiler has broken etc

 

[Backboiler]

If you have the patience, time and enough of a finacial cushion to support your family then try and I mean try the 4 year apprentiship. However my advice is to try and get yourself with an extremely experienced gas engineer who is near the end of his working life and who has maybe 4 years of his ACS to run. If you are lucky enough to find one ask him if you can work for him for nothing! (if at any time he feels you are an asset he will tip you now and again). Spend 6 months with him to find out if you like the work, and if he likes you. Work bloody hard with immense care and respect, then if you feel as exited as I did about the job, enrol on a Gas foundation course (approx £900). Carry on working for him while completing your portfolio but never ask him for money. You have to pass all your disciplines before applying for the ACS training and assessments (Approx £2500). When you pass your ACS you have only just begun. You need to register with Gas Safe (£455ish), Public Liability insurance (£?), tools, customers, van etc. (I must have missed something). It's hard work, you need dedication and I dare bet the first time you go out to work on a gas appliance by yourself, you will have a nervous breakdown. Interesting job though