A
Anakin
Having paid a small fortune to do the level 3 c&g course/ACS (mixed with nvq 3 and small little one day course things - though nvq3 whole area isn't explored - only handed a folder if you want to do it), having not found comments on that training centre already I thought I'd better start one.
Firstly, the centre was good. Not very good, but a solid good. The price would have cost more elsewhere, and these people are legitimate, unlike the many rogue companies out there. The qualifications are real, and the tutors knew their stuff.
However, I was sold the course that I would be a step away from being Corgi registered, and this course would involve intensive training on a wide range of gas appliances, with lots of boiler examination, i.e fixing boilers, stripping down and putting back together etc. Basically to be fairly efficient at boilers and how to fix them. At the price I paid, and the reputation it has I expected nothing less than an excellent intensive course to set me on my way to being Corgi registered. Having had over three years plumbing experience with a Corgi plumber (yes crap wages - but invaluable real life experience) and getting fully qualified as a plumber, the only thing left to do was to do my gas training...
Course was last year. I am no better off with what the course taught me. The large majority of the time spent at the centre was studing the theory at level 3 of plumbing, basically covering level 2 a in a bit more detail and learning gas safety. Having experience already, this task was quite tedious. The practical aspect, would involve the group watching the tutor twiddle with either a boiler, gas fire or water heater. Then after a while fiddle with the appliances ourselves. Thats about it. Later on at end of course, you have to pass a folder with various tasks, which are generally easy and don't require really any insight or skill to complete.
So, the next task is to find a Corgi plumber to help and train you to work through your one of the folders you receive, so that later once you have completed so many hours of gas on-site experience, you can return and then, and only then, sit the ACS exam.
I am self employed, and the guy I trained with uses me very often to help him out with his work. Generally on the days without me he does jobs involving gas, I'm not there so can't get on with my folder so stuffed really. I can understand he doesn't need me around when fixing fires or boilers or whatever. He has said to customers it isn't worth training people as they then take away your business. Also I can understand, of course. So where does that leave me? Pansed. Really pansed to put it nicely.
So, in conclusion, the course cost me £7,600 and though it saved me going to college one day a week for a whole year (centre took half the time - 5 months 2 days a week) and the course theory was good (now more of less forgotten) I realise I shouldn't have bothered. I believe firmly now the only way is the College route to start off with. Or a large plumbing firm willing to take you on, but as with all trades, people are in it for themselves so don't give a monkeys about anyone else.
On a good note, the staff were very nice. However, promises were made to many students, i.e the depth and level of the 'excellent training' and the list of ready and willing Corgi plumbers eager to have someone with them. Bull.
I have a better understanding of gas appliances and gas safety (knew a lot of it already anyway) yet even if I did get through my folder, my understanding and experience would not be anyway near by a mile to go into someones house and tinker with their boiler or gas fire.
Why on earth are there not government sponsored courses or companies willing to train people to a decent level, at a normal price, or better still, job opportunities with real training (yes to expect low wages for a while)?? Can't there be a waiting list for people to get these chances in life? The government wants a highly skilled workforce, yet won't butt in to do anything about it..
Firstly, the centre was good. Not very good, but a solid good. The price would have cost more elsewhere, and these people are legitimate, unlike the many rogue companies out there. The qualifications are real, and the tutors knew their stuff.
However, I was sold the course that I would be a step away from being Corgi registered, and this course would involve intensive training on a wide range of gas appliances, with lots of boiler examination, i.e fixing boilers, stripping down and putting back together etc. Basically to be fairly efficient at boilers and how to fix them. At the price I paid, and the reputation it has I expected nothing less than an excellent intensive course to set me on my way to being Corgi registered. Having had over three years plumbing experience with a Corgi plumber (yes crap wages - but invaluable real life experience) and getting fully qualified as a plumber, the only thing left to do was to do my gas training...
Course was last year. I am no better off with what the course taught me. The large majority of the time spent at the centre was studing the theory at level 3 of plumbing, basically covering level 2 a in a bit more detail and learning gas safety. Having experience already, this task was quite tedious. The practical aspect, would involve the group watching the tutor twiddle with either a boiler, gas fire or water heater. Then after a while fiddle with the appliances ourselves. Thats about it. Later on at end of course, you have to pass a folder with various tasks, which are generally easy and don't require really any insight or skill to complete.
So, the next task is to find a Corgi plumber to help and train you to work through your one of the folders you receive, so that later once you have completed so many hours of gas on-site experience, you can return and then, and only then, sit the ACS exam.
I am self employed, and the guy I trained with uses me very often to help him out with his work. Generally on the days without me he does jobs involving gas, I'm not there so can't get on with my folder so stuffed really. I can understand he doesn't need me around when fixing fires or boilers or whatever. He has said to customers it isn't worth training people as they then take away your business. Also I can understand, of course. So where does that leave me? Pansed. Really pansed to put it nicely.
So, in conclusion, the course cost me £7,600 and though it saved me going to college one day a week for a whole year (centre took half the time - 5 months 2 days a week) and the course theory was good (now more of less forgotten) I realise I shouldn't have bothered. I believe firmly now the only way is the College route to start off with. Or a large plumbing firm willing to take you on, but as with all trades, people are in it for themselves so don't give a monkeys about anyone else.
On a good note, the staff were very nice. However, promises were made to many students, i.e the depth and level of the 'excellent training' and the list of ready and willing Corgi plumbers eager to have someone with them. Bull.
I have a better understanding of gas appliances and gas safety (knew a lot of it already anyway) yet even if I did get through my folder, my understanding and experience would not be anyway near by a mile to go into someones house and tinker with their boiler or gas fire.
Why on earth are there not government sponsored courses or companies willing to train people to a decent level, at a normal price, or better still, job opportunities with real training (yes to expect low wages for a while)?? Can't there be a waiting list for people to get these chances in life? The government wants a highly skilled workforce, yet won't butt in to do anything about it..
