Newbie in Cheltenham looking to get gas qualified would appreciate any advice

[Jamied95]

Hi everyone,

Have been following this forum for some time now which has been very helpful so, I thought I would ask for some advice on advancing a career in plumbing.

I recently moved to the Cheltenham area, before that I completed a college 6129 certificate course in Wales. I struggled to find an apprenticeship in my area and finally found one only for the company I was working for to go bankrupt a few months later. Sadly I couldn't find another apprenticeship.

Now I am living in Cheltenham I am looking to get gas qualified and eventually become a capable gas service/repair engineer. I am a very competent and mature 22 year old. What I would love some advice on is what the best route for me to get qualified. I understand further college education and experience is the proper path.

There aren't any advertised apprenticeships in my area currently but I understand hassling some companies would eventually get me somewhere.

What I would like to know is whether I am in fact better off trying to find a self employed gas engineer that would take me on with him paid/for free, whether this would be a faster route of getting valuable experience working with gas.

What my main fear is not being taught correctly and/or not being taught to a full extent required to become capable in doing gas service/repair work. To say that the company I worked for in Wales didn't leave me with much faith would be the least.

Is there anything that I should watch out for when searching and speaking with companies that may be able to take me on? Would it beneficial for me to have a CSCS card before even attempting to find an apprenticeship? Is there anything else I might want to try and achieve to assure that I am taken seriously as a candidate?

Many thanks for reading and any advice you can offer would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Jamie

 

[Scott_D]

Do you have plumbing experiance?
CSCS is mainly for site work

 

[Jamied95]

Unfortunately not very much plumbing specific experience. Only the few months I spent with the company which was mainly doing general plumbing work, the only bit of gas we did was swapping an old boiler out!

I do however have over 5 years experience working in the building game, worked across all the trades as very competent and skilled labourer. I am quite confident that I can do a lot of general plumbing work with ease.

I understand CSCS is mainly for site work, I just wondered as I'm sure most companies will want everybody CSCS registered no matter what they are doing?

 

[Deleted member 32524]

Employed option is best as you will hopefully have work and support after it. Doing it yourself you will struggle to get a job without experience of about 3 years, unless the GSR who mentors you has something for you. Probably have to go self employed and build something from the ground up while learning your trade.

 

[Scott_D]

Get a plumbing job and see if your employer will put you through your gas.