Gas Training for NVQ2 Qualified Plumber (Currently Self-Employed)

[d36csr]

Hello all,

I recently passed my NVQ2, and am now working as a self-employed plumber. Business is good, but I keep having to turn down gas work. I'm now hoping to get Gas Safe registered.

I hate working for other people! I've read things in the past which suggested that it was possible to do your portfolio self-employed, but this seems too good to be true. Any thoughts?

I've also heard that the private training companies are a bunch of scoundrels! I can't find a proper college in my area which does gas courses though.

Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.


Many thanks,
Benedict


p.s. I've done my best to find a thread which has dealt with this already, but couldn't. Apologies if I missed anything!

 

[townfanjon]

Blimey you have entered a minefield pal , You can do it while self employed but you can only build a portfolio working with a GS engineer.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Hello all,

I recently passed my NVQ2, and am now working as a self-employed plumber. Business is good, but I keep having to turn down gas work. I'm now hoping to get Gas Safe registered.

I hate working for other people! I've read things in the past which suggested that it was possible to do your portfolio self-employed, but this seems too good to be true. Any thoughts?

I've also heard that the private training companies are a bunch of scoundrels! I can't find a proper college in my area which does gas courses though.

Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.


Many thanks,
Benedict


p.s. I've done my best to find a thread which has dealt with this already, but couldn't. Apologies if I missed anything!

Where in the world are you? There are a few different paths but the preferred is college or apprenticeship

 

[d36csr]

Thanks for the quickfire responses. Magic.

I'm in Bristol.

So, Jon, which bits of it can I do self employed, if not the portfolio?

Thanks, Benedict

 

[Ric2013]

How will you carry a boiler on a bicycle though? 😉

Welcome to the forums, Benedict!

 

[townfanjon]

In an ideal world , you could look to work for yourself 4 days ish a week and find a GS guy and shadow him for a day , and slowly build your portfolio , then when you are ready go through and pass your ACS , then apply for your own GS reg .

The problem is finding the GS guy to show you the ropes , this is a MASSIVE problem and its where you may fail , but on the other hand you maybe very lucky .

 

[d36csr]

You wouldn't believe what I fit on a bike Ric! Might have to get the trailer out for a boiler mind you!

Thanks Jon. That sounds possible, although challenging as you say. It could take a while to gather a portfolio in this way. Is there a time limit, at the end of which they chuck you off the course?

No wonder gas engineers charge £70 call-out round here!!

 

[Scott_D]

I am in Bristol
I'm not sure shadowing would work for small jobs but I could sometimes use help on installs. I'm happy to swap plumbing leads for gas leads if you are interested.

 

[townfanjon]

Thats a great offer from Scott.

No time limit Benedict, you have finished your level 2 .
As I say , just build a portfolio, read a lot , go for your ACS and apply for GS reg , dont be fooled into thinking this a in a few weeks , its potentialy a year maybe Two , it just depends how much gas you can learn.

 

[d36csr]

Stunning offer Scott! I've messaged you.

That's good to hear Jon. I'm in no rush. I mostly just love to learn!

So I guess that technically I have to do the theory part before I start building a portfolio?

 

[townfanjon]

Beacause you are nt on a course you will have to learn the hard way , the only other way is try get your NVQ 3, but because you are self employed you will have to pay for it

 

[Ric2013]

d36csr: there may be a way to get onto level 3 for free (I'm hoping to do this, except my college teaches oil, not gas) which might work, seeing as you live in Bristol. Can you please start a conversation with me as your privacy settings won't let me do that to do?

Cheers, R

 

[ShaunCorbs]

d36csr: there may be a way to get onto level 3 for free (I'm hoping to do this, except my college teaches oil, not gas) which might work, seeing as you live in Bristol. Can you please start a conversation with me as your privacy settings won't let me do that to do?

Cheers, R

He's under Under 10 posts so that's why you can't pm yet but he can pm you (thought I'd explain)

 

[Harvest Fields]

Where in the world are you? There are a few different paths but the preferred is college or apprenticeship

Only an opinion mate. I did neither. I was fast track.