training at ableskills

[bostonlincs]

Able skills is a very impressive company, I came across them in 2007 completing a short plumbing course. The course was informative and structured. At the time I worked Full Time in a different career. I must say though I learnt a lot more through experience but was able to use the learning at able skills to help me get into the trade. In 2009 I returned to Able Skills to complete a Domestic Installers Part P package, this I can tell you a totally different story. Jim was good but the centre had a dispute at the time and one of the tutors left, I passed just like 100% of all the other candidates which I was happy about, I only wanted the cert so I am able to work safely but thinking back I and worried how someone can leave on the Friday and get registered the following week. My experience tells me it is best getting a qualification via a traditional college with experience in the real working environment. Able skills are good enough to get DIY skills but not for the real trade. If you are good and get through the qualification try getting a job, most well paid and professional companies will just laugh and tell you to come back in two years, in that time you might as well got through a college. I am now training in Electrcial Engineering but through a college, the business will never take on quick course tradesmen as a rule due to this experience. I hope this is useful so you can make up your own mind.

 

[billybobconnor]

cheers Boston, i am glad that doing a course like that helped you get into the trade, i am hoping for the same chance. i agree completely that experience counts for everything and hopefully someone will see past my lack of experience and see that i am grafter, trustworthy and grateful for employment. willing to start right at the bottom and work an apprenticeship. my career in the army is coming to a close and i now need to focus on working for someone else for the next 20 years. i am sure an employer could benefit from investing a little time in me, for the loyal service i give in return.

 

[Mike_Heath]

I am looking at training with Able skills and was wondering if anyone had anymore comments before I part with cash.

 

[niceone7]

Hi all i'm currently doing my 6129. i'm doing a practical assessment task from my portfolio low carbon steel sp-1. there asking for me to do a summary of the task without waffaling on what would be the best way to tackle this i don't want to write a full story..lolol

 

[SafeGasInstall]

pls do

 

[PlumbBobBob]

list the tasks carried out for the assessment

 

[Ableskills]

Hi Nicky,

I dealt with them early this year and i would seriously avoid them!! They sound good with what they say etc. and i had a very nice phone call were they offered to send someone round for a chat to help me understand what the course is about etc. but what they sent was a very pushy sales women who wanted £100 deposit there and then, and then put a contract in front of me. She managed to get me credit for the couse which would be cheap monthly repayments but then i asked how it works? she then told me a very long and convincing story.... what basically ment i would get some txt books and a dvd software with a virtual house to work on using my laptop etc. and once every couple of months a qualified gas engineer etc would come and see me to see how things are going then i would recieve tests through post and thats how i would become qualified. The only pratical would be one day in a training centre (not theres).

Hi Dan, this is AbleSkills here. I know that your post relates to comments made in 2010 however I am currently spending some time in the forums addressing incorrect statements or mistaken identity issues. I can assure you at no time in the 12 years of Able Skills history, have we ever employed a hard sell sales team that offers to attend your home address to sell a course.

Maybe you had a shop around and in fact it was another provider that contacted you. It clearly states on our website to avoid this type of selling technique. We are proud of our training facility and have always said before you pay any deposits on any course, come down and have a look around with a promise of no pressure from staff, after all our centre sells it's self.

 

[Ableskills]

im still in the army at the moment and cant commit the time until after xmas. i have been asking local contractors if i can work at weekends and evenings even putting annual leave in for bigger jobs and a full time 3 month resettlement period all for free with no obligation , but its likely that i will have to pay a company for work to complete my nvq, i intend to become fully qualified and work for an employer. its pretty tough getting my foot in the door, but ill keep going as i want to be a plumber and nothing less.

Hi Billtbob, It's AbleSkills, we note that you attended our course back in 2010/11. How are you getting on? are you in the industry now full time? Please get in touch we want to hear from candidates around that time to share success stories. Call the office and ask for Chris thanks.

 

[Dotty]

Hi Dan, this is AbleSkills here. I know that your post relates to comments made in 2010 however I am currently spending some time in the forums addressing incorrect statements or mistaken identity issues. I can assure you at no time in the 12 years of Able Skills history, have we ever employed a hard sell sales team that offers to attend your home address to sell a course.

Maybe you had a shop around and in fact it was another provider that contacted you. It clearly states on our website to avoid this type of selling technique. We are proud of our training facility and have always said before you pay any deposits on any course, come down and have a look around with a promise of no pressure from staff, after all our centre sells it's self.

Hi Billtbob, It's AbleSkills, we note that you attended our course back in 2010/11. How are you getting on? are you in the industry now full time? Please get in touch we want to hear from candidates around that time to share success stories. Call the office and ask for Chris thanks.

First of all this thread is fairly old, the members you questioned haven't posted in some considerable time and are highly unlikely to answer.

Secondly, while I support the notion of the right of reply I'm also mindful of the fact that your main business is the selling and advertising of your training establishment.

The rules of this forum prohibit you from doing this unless you are a forum sponsor.

If this is a path you wish to explore please click here - Contact Us - Plumbing Forum | Plumbing Advice | Plumbers Forums | A forum for plumbers advice in the UK

 

[Jamal123]

hi there, just a quick question
i have done my city and guilds level 2 6129, it has been very hard to find an apprenticeship, i am thinking to do the gas safe course with able skills and not do the nvq, is this worth doing.