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YOUR ROUTE TO A LUCRATIVE GAS CAREER Why Become A Gas Engineer? The popular press has stories about the earning potential of gas engineers. These stories, whilst generally inaccurate, are based upon the fact that there is a massive skill shortage in the UK. For years, companies have been reluctant to employ apprentices, and this has led to the current shortage of gas engineers. In order to fill the gap, opportunities have arisen for new entrants to the industry to undertake training as gas engineers. All gas engineers are required to hold Certificates of Competence for all work involving gas and gas appliances. If your intention is to be your own boss, work hours that suit you, do interesting, challenging and satisfying work and make a very good living, then a GASTEC Course could be your first step towards that rewarding goal. The traditional route to becoming a Gas Engineer in the UK is via an apprenticeship. By undertaking two or three years study at college and working for a gas organisation, you would progress towards City & Guilds 6012 NVQ level 3. There are limited places available in colleges and some are unable to offer the candidate a satisfactory and dedicated training program. On some occasions, the student is left to read technical manuals in a classroom for hours, simply because there are no available trainers. We know of cases where the student has to go home to “study” because of other unrelated courses being conducted within the confines of the workshop. You deserve better. With all of these problems, many students are turning to private companies to bridge the training gap. The choice of courses available is bewildering. At GASTEC, we can advise you on which course you should take, depending on your goals and aspirations and what you want from a career within the gas industry At GASTEC, you are given undivided attention and will work in comfortable air-conditioned classrooms. Our workshops are designed to allow every student to work in a stress-free and user-friendly manner. Each individual has their own tool kit and is allocated set work areas dependant on the tasks being undertaken. All work is overseen by a qualified instructor who will offer advice and help, usually in a one-to-one situation.
Our Domestic Gas Intermediate course is fully accredited with CITB and is recognised as an approved training alternative to the slow and laborious college route. The course has been designed around our experience in the industry. The real difference between our courses and that of some other centres and colleges is that they are relevant to your needs. The cost of our courses reflects our commitment to train you efficiently and effectively. We want
to provide you with a totally honest appraisal so you understand what getting
qualified as a Gas Operative is all about. If we can help you appreciate the
commitment you will require, we think you will be better prepared to
successfully complete your training.
WHY CHOOSE GASTEC? We, at GASTEC, in a shorter space of time, have the expertise and ability to train all our students to a proficient level in basic gas work. This enables them to cope with a wide variety of work that gas engineers do in the domestic market place. The alternative is the day release, block release or night classes offered by colleges, all of which will take at least 3 years to acquire the knowledge required to undergo the theory and practical assessments. The classic result of the college route is a very large drop out rate of students whom can not afford or cannot cope with this type of learning. We at GASTEC were the first centre to run intermediate-level gas courses for MOD service leavers. Our courses have been structured to suit military personnel equally as well as civilians and we have packed a great deal of information into them. As a result, the courses are intensive, and require a high level of commitment. Within the first three weeks, we cover all information relating to gas safety theory, leaving week four to cover training on electrics and combination boilers. This is a course structure that previous students very much favoured. Our state-of-the-art training centre has a wide range of appliances, with numerous workstations, to ensure that there is no waiting around for a task to become free. Hands-on training is provided on combination boilers (both regular and condensing), system boilers, low water content boilers, as well as the more traditional cast iron boilers, with both room sealed and conventional flues. In total, we have approximately 70 boilers. You will also receive training on a range of gas fires, cookers, water heaters, warm air units and meter installations. WHAT WE OFFER: Whilst we can offer no guarantees of success, since this is totally dependent on your ability, we have achieved a 100% success rate for candidates going on to achieve ACS accreditation. For the few people that have struggled, we have provided additional one-on-one training and support, to assist them in demonstrating competence to the assessor. How GASTEC Delivers the Domestic Gas Intermediate Course: CITB’s Intermediate Gas Certificate is a recognized qualification by CORGI and successful completion of the course enables candidates to undertake ACS assessment. In August 2003, changes were made to the entrance requirements for the ACS certification scheme. In order to qualify for entrance to the ACS assessments, if the candidate is not already CORGI or ACS registered, they must complete either a gas NVQ qualification which will take up to 3 years to complete, or provide evidence of an auditable extended period of gas training, supported by a portfolio of gas experience. You qualify as follows: Weeks 1 to 4: Classroom and workshop based learning, covering all aspects of gas safety and utilization necessary to work as a domestic gas operative. Training is carried out at our state-of-the-art training centre in Milton Keynes. Work Placement: Placement with a gas engineering company to gain experience of working in the field. With placement, in many cases, it can turn out to be a permanent job provided both the employer and you find there is a good relationship. (MOD Only) We can arrange a work placement for you but you must hold a full UK driving licence, but it will be as near to your home base as we can arrange, this can be some distance away in rural areas, however if you are in a position to seek and provide your own, that may be more beneficial too you, as then it would be very local to your area. Time spent on a placement is variable. It will depend on the type of work activity involved, individual capability and various other factors, but on average it could take between four and six weeks or longer. The duration of the ‘on the job’ experience, and development of the portfolio, will be determined by the type and frequency of gas work undertaken by the candidate. For example, a person installing two heating systems a week will take longer than someone attending to eight service/breakdowns a day. The candidate will also be required to demonstrate experience of working across a range of appliance types.
Assessments: You can return to our Centre after your work placement and evidence portfolio has been completed. Your portfolio will be checked to see if the required work related evidence is adequate, Then your assessments can continue: · CCN1 Domestic Natural Gas Safety Modules · CEN1,HTR1,WAT1,CKR1,MET1 Domestic Gas Appliances and Meter Modules What Qualifications Can I Achieve? CITB is acknowledged, by many, as the most prestigious certification body within the gas industry, and its qualifications are recognised around the world. If you are being trained and assessed to CITB’s high standard, then you can be assured your training is to the highest standard within the industry. Qualifications gained: CITB ACS Certification Core Gas Safety CCN1 CITB ACS Certification Domestic Central Heating CEN1 CITB ACS Certification Domestic Water Heaters WAT1 CITB ACS Certification Domestic Cookers CKR1 CITB ACS Certification Domestic Space Heaters HTR1 CITB ACS Certification Domestic Meters MET1 CITB Energy Efficiency 6084 CITB Certification Combination Boilers Basic ** CITB Certification Essential Electrics ** ** Both of these modules have proved to be very interesting subjects and many previous candidates have given excellent reviews on them. These, incidentally are not featured with any other Centre offering a similar course. If they do them it will be at extra cost, this will never be the case with GASTEC - it’s all in the price.
What Will I Learn? Theory: · Combustion of natural gas · Basic burner design · Operation of components and how they work · The need for ventilation and fluing · How flues work · Pipe sizing · Pressure and flow · Basic electrics · How appliances work · How to install, maintain and repair appliances The following are only some of the minimum performance requirements you will be taught, to work safely and competently as a gas appliance installer: Proof of Competence Reference Flues and Ventilation BS5400 Part 1 and 2 Fires, Back-Boilers and Circulators BS5871 Part 1, 2 and 3 Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, HSE Installation of Gas Pipe-work BS6891 Specification for Tightness, Testing and Purging of Domestic Gas Installation IGE/UP/1B Installation of Gas Appliances Document J Building Regulations
Practical: You will be shown how to carry out certain tasks, for example exchanging a gas meter or servicing a boiler. Simulated tasks relating to the installation, planned maintenance and breakdown of gas systems will be conducted within the centre’s training workshop and will have;
‘Off Job’ Simulation Assessments (Workshop) Simulation assessment will be carried out by the Gastec assessor prior to the candidate starting their ‘on the job’ period, and will be limited to the following activities;
· Medium pressure tightness testing
‘On the job’ Assessments( Work Placements) ‘On the job’ assessments are seen as the primary source of evidence for judging an individual’s level of competence. Both direct observation and outcomes of work activities will be considered as primary evidence sources. All candidates will be required to demonstrate competence in real ‘on the job’ situations, during the performance of these genuine work activities. Their work will be observed and recorded by a centre approved, Corgi registered, engineer. All tasks and duties will be those, reasonably expected to be performed, by a competent gas operative. All candidates will, therefore, be expected to have demonstrated competence in the ‘on the job’ tasks over a period of time, under normal working conditions, to generate a sufficient evidence portfolio. Each candidate will be assessed ‘on the job’ in the following areas;
If you are serious about entering the varied, interesting and lucrative field of gas engineering then we, at Gastec, are committed to ensuring your training and development will be the very best available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Does your course lead to a recognised qualification. A YES, Our course leads to the CITB Accredited Certification Scheme for CORGI and City & Guilds 6084 Level 3 for Energy Efficiency. Q I am a complete beginner, is this course for me? A Yes, Our course is designed for people who are seeking a career change and we start with the very basics. Q How long will it take to get my qualifications? A. Our Course is 4 weeks full time followed by a further 4 – 6 weeks work placement, longer dependant on types of work carried out. Once the Assessments have been successfully completed you will receive your qualifications in about 15 days. Q. When will I be able to start working as a Gas Operative? A. You can start work straight after you have finished your Assessments provided it is with an employer. If you wish to go self employed then you will need to apply to CORGI for registration with them. You will possess all the relevant qualifications to satisfy them on registration. Q. I want to be a self employed Gas Operative and start my own business, can I do this? A. YES, Our course is aimed at preparing you manually and technically for self employment and you can start working as soon as you have carried out the answer to the question above, the course will however not cover “LAW or TAX related issues” Q. What if I fail an assessment? A You will be allowed to re-sit an assessment as many times as is necessary. if you fail an assessment, you may retake it but a charge will be made for the additional time required. However, please note that we will not put you into an assessment until we think you will succeed so the onus is on you to prove you’re up to it.
Q I live too far to travel every day, do you have accommodation? A. If you are a civilian, accommodation can be supplied as an optional extra, but is only on the understanding GASTEC will not be responsible if the standard or service of the accommodation is not to your specifications. A full comprehensive list of local hotels, B&B etc is on our website at www.gastec.uk.com If you are MOD Service Leaver, then please consult your re-settlement office who can advise you to check out and book accommodation directly through the MOD Accommodation Website. Q. Why is your course only 4 weeks compared to colleges that take 3 years? A. Our course covers the same syllabus and the same qualifications, However, our course is full time 5 days a week and also our students are all career changers rather than school leavers so we can proceed at a much faster pace. We also have small class sizes and most importantly, because each student is paying a fee, the dedication and attention of students is very high. Q. I am an existing Plumber working without any qualifications; I want to get my ACS do I need to do your course? A Yes Because of the CORGI New Entrant criteria you will need attend a recognised training program such as ours and work with a CORGI registered company to develop your portfolio, Look on the bright side: spending 1 month with us is better and cheaper than 3 years at a college. Q) When could I begin my course? A) We run the courses every month so we have spaces available at all times; we do however limit all the courses to 15 candidates dependant on demand, this allows our trainers to give quality time to all trainees. Q Why should I enrol with you? A Because if you've read this far you're probably serious about a new career. GASTEC gives you all the facts, GASTEC will never mislead you and we consider our training and support is the very best available, “We do not promise “free Lunches or Tool boxes”. We only deliver what you ask for: A dedicated course giving you knowledge and information relevant to your learning needs in a friendly professional manner with emphasis on quality. GASTEC firmly believe in the welfare of all MOD Service Leavers and New Entrants and hope to build a long term relationship with you.
Q. These courses cost a lot of money is there any way to assist with the cost of the course? A. There are certain types of funding available for this course. Resettlement Grant: Grants are available for MOD candidates to fund our course. For most people, the course is residential, and accommodation allowances can be used to assist with covering the full cost of the course. ELCAS Funding MOD Only: The Enhanced Learning Credits scheme gives service leavers the opportunity to use this type of funding for courses aligned to NVQ level 3. The ACS course and assessment are aligned to level 3 and, as such, are eligible for funding. What’s more, as your career develops, you may choose to branch off into different areas of the gas industry, and ELCAS funding may be used to support these additional areas of training. GASTEC is registered with ELC, our registration Number is 1619. So if you are serving in the armed forces (or even if you have left) you may be entitled to ELCAS Enhanced Learning Credits. These are valid for 10 years after leaving the services, so this is a good direction for you to take as it reduces the direct cost of any course you may have to make GASTEC is delighted to announce that we have received our registration to offer Career Development Loan applications. Our Registration number is 5200. A Career Development Loan (CDL) is a deferred repayment bank loan designed to help individuals to pay for vocational training, education or learning. Vocational courses give the learner the skills needed for an occupation, trade or profession. The CDL programme is run through a partnership arrangement between the Learning Skills Council (LSC) and three high street banks: Barclays, the Co-operative and The Royal Bank of Scotland. Call the CDL Information Line on 0800 585 505 from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm seven days a week to ask for an application pack and to get advice. Alternatively you might like to check the DirectGov Website for more details
If you require any further information or advice please do not hesitate to contact us on the number below. Please ask for our complete information pack and booking forms and quote “GAS” course. Telephone: 0800 1958066
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