Access Training Academies

[Jig]

Hi guys. Just about to start a plumbing and wanted to know if anyone heard of Access Training Academy based in Kent but there training facility closest to me is Welwyn?

 

[Jig]

Sorry forgot course

 

[Slumpy]

Hi guys. Just about to start a plumbing and wanted to know if anyone heard of Access Training Academy based in Kent but there training facility closest to me is Welwyn?

There is an Access training centre in Edenbridge near Sevenoaks

 

[Jig]

There is an Access training centre in Edenbridge near Sevenoaks

Ok cheers. Do you know if there any good. I know there quite dear.

 

[Slumpy]

The plumbing course (C&G2 with or without NVQ) has quite a good reputation, unlike the electical one.

 

[Jig]

The plumbing course (C&G2 with or without NVQ) has quite a good reputation, unlike the electical one.

Is £4500 too much to pay for a weekend course city & guilds plus nvq level 2 3p weekends?

 

[Jig]

Is £4500 too much to pay for a weekend course city & guilds plus nvq level 2 30 weekends?

 

[Old Account]

Just nvq 2 ... for me it seems quite a lot though

 

[Last Plumber]

Crikey!
Is that what it costs now ?

 

[Old Account]

Could be a decent gas course

 

[Jig]

Could be a decent gas course

Ye but you still have to do the nvq2 to progress onto a gas course.

 

[Harry brown]

I'm about to start training with access( Edenbridge). Following ACS to become gas safe registered. The full course will take me around 16 weeks from start to finish including work experience with British gas or others alike.

I've paid approx £8,300 for:

Plumb - Mod 1 - Pipework - BPEC
Plumb - Mod 2 - Airing Cupboards - BPEC
Plumb - Mod 3 - Bathroom Fitting - BPEC
Plumb - Mod 4 - Cloakroom & Guttering Installation - BPEC Plumb - Mod 5 - LCS & Framework - BPEC
Plumb - Mod 6 - WRAS - Unvented - BPEC
Gas - Mod 1 - Pipework & Gas Meters
Gas - Mod 2 - Ventilation - Gas Rates - Reg
Gas - Mod 3 - Legislation - Gas Analysers - DSC
Gas - Mod 4 - Gas Appliances Training
ACS - Refresher & Theory Exam
ACS - Practical Assessment

I will post an honest review after the course so everyone can have an honest insight to the training.

-So far so good!


P.s

I do already have 8+ years experience within construction (new build & renovation) so I am familiar with some basic plumbing works etc..

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Good luck and if your allowed to take some pics of your work (installs etc) you never know when it comes in handy

 

[Harry brown]

Thanks ShaunCorbs, will do

 

[Simon364]

I'm about to start training with access( Edenbridge). Following ACS to become gas safe registered. The full course will take me around 16 weeks from start to finish including work experience with British gas or others alike.

I've paid approx £8,300 for:

Plumb - Mod 1 - Pipework - BPEC
Plumb - Mod 2 - Airing Cupboards - BPEC
Plumb - Mod 3 - Bathroom Fitting - BPEC
Plumb - Mod 4 - Cloakroom & Guttering Installation - BPEC Plumb - Mod 5 - LCS & Framework - BPEC
Plumb - Mod 6 - WRAS - Unvented - BPEC
Gas - Mod 1 - Pipework & Gas Meters
Gas - Mod 2 - Ventilation - Gas Rates - Reg
Gas - Mod 3 - Legislation - Gas Analysers - DSC
Gas - Mod 4 - Gas Appliances Training
ACS - Refresher & Theory Exam
ACS - Practical Assessment

I will post an honest review after the course so everyone can have an honest insight to the training.

-So far so good!


P.s

I do already have 8+ years experience within construction (new build & renovation) so I am familiar with some basic plumbing works etc..

Hello Harry, I am just wondering how the training went as i was thinking for starting with them. Did you get the correct qualification needed ect?

 

[Harry brown]

Hello Harry, I am just wondering how the training went as i was thinking for starting with them. Did you get the correct qualification needed ect?

Hello Simon,

So far I have completed the level 2 BPEC plumbing course and can say honestly it is a very good course! It was run over 6 weeks, you have exams every week (I think a total of 10) then you go out to a company (best to to it through them) and work for a period of time. You complete a second portfolio in a work placement to gain your NVQ LVL 2.

Although the course is only 6 weeks, you will learn a hell of a lot, so be prepared for it to take over your entire life lol. You've got to be dedicated!


Right now I'm on my last week of my Logic Gas course. With the Gas you do 4 weeks, then a work placement and second portfolio (a very large one) then you go back to the college for your ACS exams.

The gas course is the most intense and hardest thing I've done to date! There is an insane amount to learn (practically impossible) I've 4 weeks.


Here is a link for the training material you will need to buy for the gas if you undertake (you don't need any for the plumbing):

GAS Domestic Site Guide 2016



Good luck!

P.s it's the best decision I've ever made, I would recommend doing the gas course aswell!

 

[Harry brown]

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Hello Harry, I am just wondering how the training went as i was thinking for starting with them. Did you get the correct qualification needed ect?

Hello Simon,

So far I have completed the level 2 BPEC plumbing course and can say honestly it is a very good course! It was run over 6 weeks, you have exams every week (I think a total of 10) then you go out to a company (best to to it through them) and work for a period of time. You complete a second portfolio in a work placement to gain your NVQ LVL 2.

Although the course is only 6 weeks, you will learn a hell of a lot, so be prepared for it to take over your entire life lol. You've got to be dedicated!


Right now I'm on my last week of my Logic Gas course. With the Gas you do 4 weeks, then a work placement and second portfolio (a very large one) then you go back to the college for your ACS exams.

The gas course is the most intense and hardest thing I've done to date! There is an insane amount to learn (practically impossible) I've 4 weeks.


Here is a link for the training material you will need to buy for the gas if you undertake (you don't need any for the plumbing):



GAS Domestic Site Guide 2016

Good luck!

P.s it's the best decision I've ever made, I would recommend doing the gas course aswell!

 

[Simon364]

Its does sound very good, when you completed your Plumbing NVQ course did you receive certificates/qualifications that are recognised on the Watersafe approved list and knowledge of water regulations? I know there are several BPEC approved codes but unsure which one the academy teaches you and provides you with.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Looking good nice bends and pass overs

 

[Harry brown]

I haven't actually received any certificates yet. The college takes forever to do anything to be honest. It will probably take 6 months for you/me to receive certificates after completion of course.

Sadly this is their only flaw, pretty unorganised company. But I will receive a BPEC LVL 2 NVQ/ Unvented hot water systems card/WRAS card.

Which will enable you to become water safe.
Just remember to stay in their asses for your paperwork etc. If you can get your 17th edition and Part P thrown in do it.

From what I've seen if you have:

NVQ lvl 2 plumbing
17 edition
Part P
Part L (energy efficiency)
Gas safe

You will be in a good position for work after. Being able to command the most money aswell.

 

[Harry brown]

Looking good nice bends and pass overs

Cheers mate

 

[Simon364]

Thank you for this info. Thats what i am worried about that its a lot of money and they won't provide the certificates as promised or there is a twist which means its all been a waste of time and counts for nothing.

 

[Harry brown]

There are multiple students I've personally met that have received their qualifications. Many are repeat students, once you've done one course you want to do them all lol. Think of it as an investment, with the relevant qualifications (I've nearly got) in my area it's £250-350 a day. You can earn £600-700 a day from boiler swaps/easy installs.

Not sure if your doing it for love of the trade or money but spending £8,000 to enable you to earn minimum £50k+ (If your good at your job) is a no brainer my friend! Also it's a skill for life!

-wish you all the best

 

[Simon364]

Cheers for that, how did your two week placement go did you find that you was able to complete your portfolio? Out of interest who was the placement with?

 

[Harry brown]

I haven't done my placement yet as I did plumbing and gas back to back. Then I'm going out for both portfolio's then back for my ACS. Will keep you updated but I've heard from other students they've done their portfolio within a few days as the firms have lots of work on.

I'm doing my Gas with Gas Plus, and my plumbing with a small firm called SJ plumbing & Heating.

 

[Markus Brown]

Hi I noticed you have completed your BPEC NVQ IN PLUMBING LEVEL 2 I am currently in the process of doing this however finding the filling out of the folder difficult it's not as straight forward as the training academy initially said. I have completed the 2 weeks placement and done numerous other pointless tasks just to obtain the photo's required. However I don't want to fill it out wrong at all. Do you have and photography of the folder completed not the whole thing of course just so I can get a grasp of it all please

 

[Harry brown]

Hi I noticed you have completed your BPEC NVQ IN PLUMBING LEVEL 2 I am currently in the process of doing this however finding the filling out of the folder difficult it's not as straight forward as the training academy initially said. I have completed the 2 weeks placement and done numerous other pointless tasks just to obtain the photo's required. However I don't want to fill it out wrong at all. Do you have and photography of the folder completed not the whole thing of course just so I can get a grasp of it all please

To be honest, the placement I had was useless as they did mostly LPG Gas. I still haven't received my diploma and now the college are blaming city and guilds, and asking me to deal with them (city) when I took a bpec qualification and acess training (Kent) was my provider.

I think there is more than meets the eye to this!

I would recommend to AVOID access training academy. It is VERY poorly run and after you complete the course and they fill you with hope. It all seems to become a lot more sinister and harder to obtain your actual qualifications.

I've been fed a load of bullsh*t

AVOID IT!

 

[Harry brown]

Cheers for that, how did your two week placement go did you find that you was able to complete your portfolio? Out of interest who was the placement with?

Check my last update

 

[Emma H]

To be honest, the placement I had was useless as they did mostly LPG Gas. I still haven't received my diploma and now the college are blaming city and guilds, and asking me to deal with them (city) when I took a bpec qualification and acess training (Kent) was my provider.

I think there is more than meets the eye to this!

I would recommend to AVOID access training academy. It is VERY poorly run and after you complete the course and they fill you with hope. It all seems to become a lot more sinister and harder to obtain your actual qualifications.

I've been fed a load of bullsh*t

AVOID IT!

Hi there,

Wondering if you have resolved everything yet? Or if we can link up as my other half did his Professional Plumbing Course at the Wales branch at the start of the year and is still awaiting his NVQ2 and they have fed us bullshit after bullshit, blaming C&G, telling us to contact C&G (C&G won't deal with us they say we have to go through Access) etc etc!!!

Thanks

 

[Harry brown]

Yeah they tried that with me aswell, in all honesty. It's a Rubbish show! Actually receiving your qualifications is a whole new ball game.

I'm surprised the place hasn't been shut down yet!!

By law, they have to provide you with exactly what you've paid for within a reasonable time frame.

I did my research and sent them some legal jargon. They gave me a free course (not exactly what I needed, just wanted my certificates from the first)

Now I don't know where I stand. £8,300 down and not a happy chap!

 

[Harry brown]

They can't just shove you off to city and guilds if you've payed them for a course with certification (as long as you've done ALL you've needed to do to fulfill your side of the contract) and they haven't materialised then tell them to refund you?

Just don't take the free course scam, keep you in the loop forever.

P.s I'm pretty sure they've changed names from "the plumbing academy" "to acess training academies"

To be honest I wish I used able skills!!

 

[Emma H]

Yeah they tried that with me aswell, in all honesty. It's a **** show! Actually receiving your qualifications is a whole new ball game.

I'm surprised the place hasn't been shut down yet!!

By law, they have to provide you with exactly what you've paid for within a reasonable time frame.

I did my research and sent them some legal jargon. They gave me a free course (not exactly what I needed, just wanted my certificates from the first)

Now I don't know where I stand. £8,300 down and not a happy chap!

They offered a course here too and will transfer NVQ from C&G to BPEC but won't cover the costs such as accomodation etc for another placement! They avoiding the subject of compensation for lost earnings whilst this saga has played out and won't take responsiilty.

Have you actually received your NVQ etc yet?

 

[Harry brown]

For anyone considering Acess training. DO NOT DO IT!

You will get walked around and Fed bullshit for months if not years whilst the scum bag at the top buys new cars with your hard earned money!

 

[Harry brown]

They offered a course here too and will transfer NVQ from C&G to BPEC but won't cover the costs such as accomodation etc for another placement! They avoiding the subject of compensation for lost earnings whilst this saga has played out and won't take responsiilty.

Have you actually received your NVQ etc yet?

Only thing I have received is the logic certification for WRAS and Unvented Hot Water Systems.
NVQ is at a future date with no definitive date.

I was told, Apparently the NVQ assessor is away till December ?! (3 months off my bum) probably doesn't exist

 

[Emma H]

Only thing I have received is the logic certification for WRAS and Unvented Hot Water Systems.
NVQ is at a future date with no definitive date.

I was told, Apparently the NVQ assessor is away till December ?! (3 months off my bum) probably doesn't exist

OH completed his with an assessor they sent him to in March, since been fed a load of bull with 100 different reasons why it's not gone through!!!!

 

[Emma H]

Do you have copies of the legal stuff you used?

 

[Ric2013]

I'm thinking legal action may be required to scare them into actually doing something. I'd start with CAB...

 

[Fundog]

hi guys,I have just booked a gas course with access. After reading the problems you are having I'm now worried I have made a mistake.

 

[Fundog]

I have only paid £300 at the min but am having serious thoughts to write it off and go with Able. Do you think I should stick or run??

 

[Dustboy]

Watching this with interest as I have just had a quote from Access for their NVQ2 plumbing course. About 5 grand five or take a few quid.

 

[Stigster]

You will find it very difficult to find a good word said on this forum about any of the "fast track" training schools and for good reason too.

 

[gingalig]

Access are purely there to take your money, lots of empty promises and wild variations in course prices, they will match the price to as much as they think they can extract from you the individual. You can negotiate down literally thousands of pounds, the qualifications that you may or may not achieve, let alone actually receive are next to meaningless without the experience. They have a very convincing sales team that are trained to reel you in, take your money, earn as much in commission as possible and then move on to fleece the next victim.

 

[Markus Brown]

As said above stay very very clear of all training centres in relation to access training! I have received no qualifications and making contact with anyone at access training is birtually impossible I know of 3 different classes at the Welwyn Center that are all still awaiting certificates. My class as a group are now looking to take them to court. The place has been a joke!

 

[Mark]

I did the plumbing NVQ Level 2 and the gas course with them. I started the plumbing in Feb 2017 and finished it in June i think. Still waiting for my certs to come through, nobody has bothered contacting me. Did the gas course and placement and all went well. Now they refuse to sign my portfolio off to allow me to do the ACS as apparently since I did my course they have changed the course and my portfolio doesn't meet new requirements even though I have fulfilled all requirements set out by Logic. Been 6 months and still no end in sight.

 

[Harry brown]

Waste of time, still not received certificate..

 

[Harry brown]

Don’t do it!!!!!!!! There constantly changing things, can’t get my portfolio signed off. Is a big bunch of cow pooo

 

[Ric2013]

I don't get it. A council-owned college would be under intense pressure NOT to allow students to fail to complete.

If we have a few people on here in the same, or similar boats, perhaps it would be worth getting Trading Standards on board and all write in at the same time. Or harrass City and Guilds who, after all, accredit the centre. Perhaps even a class action lawsuit?

If you genuinely don't meet the required standards it is one thing, but if you are just being messed about because the college doesn't know what is going on, then this isn't fair!

 

[Allgoode]

I fast track trained with them in 2014 in Cardiff.

Did plumbing C&G 6135 L2 & gas theory there but getting gas portfolio in that area was very patchy due to amount of students getting pushed through.

In the end i spoke to one of them & suggested a placement anywhere in uk bar up the top of Scotland due to travelling.

Did the gas in Kent with a plumber who covered everything for the portfolio reqmts. (I lived in Cornwall so fair amount of travelling)

Did my ACS in the Plumbing academy, now owned by Access no probs.

I have to say the tutors in either place were great but unfortunately the admin people were very hard work.

You have to remember that the companies offering this type course are just sausage factories filling your head with all the theory with a small amount of hands on experience to give you baseline knowledge.

You will not know everything & everyday after that if you are in the trade will be a learning day & you need to remain switched on & open to continued learning as well as working with our fellow tradesmen/builders which are a challenge in itself.

I would suggest in either case if you are paying for the course or making the deposit payment use a credit card & get everything confirmed in writing first.

At least as far as i am aware your credit card company are then jointly liable if the course provider does not honour the agreement but check with them first.

Hope this helps,

Andy

 

[warner]

And I thought it was only me being given the run around from Access. Happy to be involved in trading standards numbers as a disgruntled student with NVQ portfolio unsigned. Their training is good but placements are just a gaping loophole where you create your own portfolio from a bunch of staged pics. I only did the course for the qualification as employers ask for NVQ certs.

 

[David H]

Sooo many people including me have been scammed by Access Training. They lost their accreditation with City & Guilds because they did not meet the required standards and are now with BPEC, but students are still having problems getting certificates.

They do not deliver and then refuse refunds. Lots of people I know have lost over £5000 and have nothing to show for it despite passing all the exams and completing the portfolio.

Anthony Brown, in thier Customer Services Department fobbs people off in illiterate emails, which make no sense and he doesn't understand what he's telling you as he's being directed to say things by 'senior management'.

If you're one of the people still being fobbed off, report them to BBC Watchdog, Trading Standards, Advertising Standards Agency (still saying they're City & Guilds Approved Centre on the web site - they're not!) and BPEC.

If you're thinking about taking one of their courses, beware of all sales staff who are charming (slimy) until they get your money and then don't want to know. Yes Chris Edwards, Stuart Robertson, David Pidgen and Darren Scott - that would be you!