Continuing Gas safe certification after leaving company that paid for it

[BerlinaSportiva]

Hi All,

First of all sorry if the title is not descriptive enough. That’s best that came to my mind after long day of work.
A bit of background. I’m a commercial plumber and water treatment specialist that at some point decided to go Gas Safe. I’ve convinced the company I’m working for to pay for the course in March 2018 and went a on a course. Decided to go with Brookhouse training as it’s local ( yes I know there are different options bout them but I’ve quite liked them). There comes the pain. My company didn’t allow me to do portfolio part till last February! Yes 2019 I’ve competed 22 jobs and written some up but they keep me from getting further. Basically after long discussions it’s leading nowhere therefore I would like to leave them( the company I work for). Now question is can I continue that training on my own completing portfolio and paying for ACS? Technically I’ll become engineer but my still current company paid for full course. I’m setting myself up as sole trader next week and got base of clients who wants me to cover gas.
What’s the best way around it?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

no as your not qualified to be on your own (doing gas) two options

one you go with a gas safe engy and finish your "portfolio"

two employ a gas safe engineer to do the gas jobs with you and get him to sign them off

either way you cant do gas work/jobs on your own need a qualified person with you

 

[Dan]

I'd perhaps seek some advice from the training people too. What you've done so far surely can't go against you and isn't wasted. It's just furthering that that will be an issue I guess.

Don't suppose you've spoken to them about it?

Have you fully left the firm already?

 

[rpm]

If the company paid for the course to start with then don`t be suprised if they want that money back.

 

[BerlinaSportiva]

no as your not qualified to be on your own (doing gas) two options

one you go with a gas safe engy and finish your "portfolio"

two employ a Registered Gas Engineer to do the gas jobs with you and get him to sign them off

either way you cant do gas work/jobs on your own need a qualified person with you

Ok I’ve must have put question in a wrong way. I have an engineer to finish my portfolio with. May even do it before I leave. My question is can I just attend ACS being On my own ( as new company) using part of portfolio done within previous company. In other words is portfolio attached to engineer or payer ( in that case my soon to be former employer) and can I just pay of ACS when I have my portfolio submitted to get on ACS, or is it starting whole course all over?

 

[snowhead]

It doesn't matter who paid for the course if it's completed.

However when they agreed to pay for your training did you sign an agreement to pay the costs back if you left?
Or do their standard terms and conditions state any training costs have to be paid back if you leave within a certain time?

 

[BerlinaSportiva]

It doesn't matter who paid for the course if it's completed.

However when they agreed to pay for your training did you sign an agreement to pay the costs back if you left?
Or do their standard terms and conditions state any training costs have to be paid back if you leave within a certain time?

I didn’t sign anything. It’s better as they didn’t issue my new contract for 4 years so technically I’ve got 1 week leaving period. Plus no obligations verbally or in writing to pay anything back.

 

[Dan]

Yeah I'm not sure all firms would try cover their arse like that. They'd assume a percentage will leave if they're big enough? Surely.

The costs to train any person in any company is massive. They don't ask you to pay it back after. It's your own qualification you've earned...?

Good luck on the new business front either way.