Fast Track Gas Safe Training for Aga/Rayburn installations

[stephenfranks]

I know that fast track courses are an emotive subject, but do you think they would be good for somebody wishing to specialise in only cast iron range cooker installations and servicing?

I am in a quandary as I would like to train to install Agas & Rayburns (Gas Oil & Solid Fuel) but cannot do so without becoming Gas Safe/Oftec & Hetas qualified. I have no wish really to work on domestic boilers and heating, simply the gas/oil hook up of cast iron ranges, minor gas pipe alterations and gas/oil flues, repairs and commissioning.

The cost of fast track courses is very high (but I would definitely do one if it got me started), and I have a family and mortgage so cannot afford NVQ/Apprenticeship route.

Can anyone offer advice on the best course of action?

 

[fuzzy]

blimey, the trining will take in lots more than you wish o do, i cannot think is anything specific you could do to reduce your training time, maybe somebody has an idea?

the training and assessment for gas alone will be a lot if no previous experience or quals

 

[stephenfranks]

Well I suppose that it would be a good skill to have, so perhaps worth doing a gas course...

 

[fuzzy]

do you know what is required? you need on site experience as well as the course, not as easy as some think to get the assessments done

 

[stephenfranks]

I was considering doing OFTEC & Gas Safe at Gastec, then going to Aga for build courses. Gastec seem to offer portfolio building?

 

[fuzzy]

oh ok, how much do they charge for this? cannot see it being cheap

do you have any previous experience?

 

[stephenfranks]

I am a builder, so have picked up alot. Fees are in the order of £5k

 

[fuzzy]

well youll have many of the skills needed, over to you really, do you want to pay the 5k?

 

[stephenfranks]

Not really, as It is £5k for Gas Safe then £1700 for OFTEC (You really need both as Agas come gas and oil). Not as easy business to get into!!

 

[fuzzy]

good luck with your decision

 

[ADM360]

Have you spoken to you local training center, they might point you the right direction, in that you would only need pipe work and cookers or space heaters!! what are aga's?? I fast tracked my to my acs with a two week course to cover all, pipe work, cookers, boilers etc,could you not ask if you could tailor the course a bit, ie turn up for the first couple of days that should cover pipe work etc, then come back next week to do the applience part?? might be worth an ask, becuase you can pick and choose what cores you complete for your acs. Best of luck with it all though.

 

[ADM360]

also as a thought!! could you start with oil, most aga's round my way are oil, build up and move on from that!! try and tie up with a local gas chap who dosen't like dirty aga's but is happy to assist you with the gas side while you do the dirty bit!! works for me! I mostly only install new, gas mostly, and work with service engineer who fixes them! just a thought!

 

[Overhouse]

You need to start on the oil fired Rayburns first, by taking an OFTEC50 for new entrants course usually 5days ,this will allow you to take the OFT101,105E,& 600A assessments.When complete you can the join OTFEC, this will get you started

 

[aladin]

i am gsr and oftec its ok doing courses but should you come up against complications your in big trouble i suggest going with some one first learn the ropes then do your courses

 

[stephenfranks]

Thanks for advice - no one seems to be willing to take me on. I have tried local engineers to no avail.

 

[fuzzy]

tough times mate

 

[Gray0689]

Engineers don't want to teach people these days as you then become competition to them in a tough market these days
But best of luck

 

[fuzzy]

Engineers don't want to teach people these days as you then become competition to them in a tough market these days
But best of luck

i think thats a little harsh, less to do with competition and more to do with lack of work. There have been many many more people do basic plumbing courses over the last few years who now want their nvq, so it stands to reason the industry couldnt provide the experience to all of them, this has been pointed out 100,s of times but newbies dont want to hear it. apparently its negative!

 

[Gray0689]

Don't see my comment as harsh at all just the truth as I see it
As you said there a lot of fast track students looking to get nvqs if they all got the experience off engineers/ plumbers then the market would be saturated

 

[jaybob]

Engineers don't want to teach people these days as you then become competition to them in a tough market these days
But best of luck

hit the nail on the head there its sad but its so true