Recommended Gas Training Provider In South?

[plumbandplumber]

Can anyone recommend a gas training company in the South of UK? I would prefer one that offers the whole package including a mentor/placement for the portfolio. I would like to register with Gasssafe at the end of a course.

Also, how long do these courses take, for someone working as a plumber but with no gas experience?

I would also be interested in recommendations for colleges in other parts of the UK.

I would also be interested to hear anyone's experiences of gas training companies, especially those who have recently passed their ACS.

Thanks to all.

 

[H2o]

I recently did the New Entrants to Gas at Able Skills, Dartford and would recommend the 3 week course that they run.

Good experienced trainers and a very intensive three week program.

Once you have completed the course you need to complete a portfolio supervised by a 'Gas Safe Engineer', they provide this for an additional fee.

Good luck

 

[plumbandplumber]

Thanks for your reply H20. How much was the course? How much do the charge for the engineer to do the portfolio?

I would imagine that 3 weeks is a short time for all that needs doing. How did yoy get on with this, and what experience did you have before you went on the course? Have you done your ACS yet?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for your help.

 

[H2o]

Hi, the price for the 3 week course is around £1500, then approx. £1000 for an engineer to help you get experience in order to complete the portfolio.
This needs to be done within a 2 year time scale (can be done quicker) in order to gain enough "Gas Experience".
Finally around £850 to sit the ACS and associated exams.
The course is intensive but I would suggest it is the easiest part, getting good hands on experience is what you need and someone with little plumbing experience would find it an extremely steep learning curve.
In addition to sit your ACS you need to know the G2 & G6 Gas Safety Books inside out, but if you find a good engineer they can help.
I have not done my ACS yet and know I need to spend a while under a good gas engineer learning before I am ready.
Good luck....

 

[fuzzy]

3 weeks study to be gas safe, what an absolute joke. they should be shut down

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i want to become gas safe in the future but i certainly wont be using one of these three week jobbies. gas is seriously dangerous in the wrong hands and i want to learn properly.

 

[fuzzy]

this is worse, its from a newbie

 

[H2o]

Dear Fuzzy & Steveb,
He asked a question, I answered it!
I thought the idea of this forum was to be constructive!
It is an initial 3 week course followed by shadowing and learning from a 'Gas safe registered' Engineer (upto 2 years).
I agree not everyone would be capable!
Regards
Newbie x

 

[aceservicing]

Nothing wrong with training , although 3 weeks in class 6 weeks forgotten it ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, buck lies with gasafe why are they accepting rapid acess training i met one 7 weeks ago a tesco shelf stocker gas engineer ,,,,,, i asked him why he gave up his day job?????????? 100,000 PA I SIMPLY REPLIED YOU READ THE SUN NEWSPAPER THEN. IT USED TO BE BANKERS CONVERTING TO GAS MEN NOW SHELF STOCKERS ......http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/images/icons/icon10.png