Advice

[andyg0507]

Hi all i am wanting some advice regarding geting into the gas industry so any feedback would be great, i was laid off from work during christmas and since then have been wanting to get into the gas industry(and no not because i think i can earn 100k a year, cause thats crap) because its something i want to do, ive looked at these fast track courses that cost 6k + and although some people say there good, there just not for me.

so here's the question/s

i could go onto a gas foundation course with my local colege wich lasts 30 weeks,after wich i would be able to go and sit acs exams at an extra cost.

or option 2, start from scratch at the local college doing level 1 plumbing right through to level 3 wich then should get me in good sted for my gas at a later point.

The only thing about option 2 is 3years is a very long time not to be earning.

any advice/recamendations would be great.

cheers

 

[Curlyworld]

I have just started my plumbing career (see other posts on this site) and as far as I could find out there is no quick way into the gas industry. There is just such a lot of information to be learned before gas. My intention is to finish my 8 week course (level 2 tech cert) and then go self employed doing the less tricky jobs as I build up confidence and then do my NVQ2 when I have the spare money. At the same time I am going to try and find work with a gas bloke / company working one day a week for free to get the experience. Then either do my ACS or full level 3 depending on costs and time available.

So it's going to be at least a year of not earning much and paying out for courses before being let loose with a Gas Safe card for me. This may seem like a bit too much but so far I am enjoying it so much that I don't mind struggling a bit.

You don't say whether you have any experience in this industry. If not, why not offer to work for free with a mate or someone to see if its for you first. If its not, you have only lost a bit of time.

Hope this helps / wasn't too boring.

Cheers

 

[andyg0507]

hi curly thanks for the reply, i have done a few standard jobs with a friend so have a gud idea of the career in plumbing, do you know or have you any idea of the gas foundation course, or have you heard of it??

i suppose doing the water side of things first would be far more beneficial in the long run.

 

[JenT]

Hi,

last year my college(Moulton, Northants) began to offer intensive "Pathway to Corgi" course, where no plumbing quals were required.
I don,t remember all the details, I think it was 2K and in 6 month you were, in theory, ready to sit your Corgi exam. I guess, it might be worth enquiring in your area for something similar?

 

[andyg0507]

hi thanks for the reply, i have contacted the local college and they dont run a gas foundation,but have been intouch with another college wich isnt to far from me, they are starting a gas foundation course in september and are sending me out there info booklet. once iv recieved it i will post relevent info on here.

in the meantime if anyone else has any words of advice they would be much appreciated.