New Entrant Gas Training Courses - from Able Skills

CITB – Intermediate Gas Certificate

Gas Course Duration:          3 Weeks

Able Skills has adopted the CITB Intermediate Gas Certificate as a training option for those of you looking to access the Gas industry. This CITB devised gas training programme has been put in place to teach all aspects of gas safety which will ensure every individual candidates understanding of Gas and will also establish their suitability for the Gas industry.

This is an in depth Gas course covering all aspects of domestic gas safety as laid down by the ACS scheme; it is also recognised by Gas Safe Register as a managed learning programme. 

This 3 week long Gas course is essential training and assessment for all candidates looking to gain access to the Gas Industry.

Whether you are without any plumbing or heating background or someone who has some plumbing and heating experience but no relevant qualifications or checkable evidence, this is the correct and recognised route to take to get you started.

Week 1 of this Gas Training Course will undoubtedly provide you with a great insight into the Gas industry and provide you with an understanding of the guidelines and regulations which currently govern the ACS scheme.

This first week of gas training will cover basic pipework skills, gas appliance functions and the basic principles of flues and combustion to give candidates the knowledge required to move forward to the next aspect of this Gas course. At the end of this initial 5 days of gas training, you will undertake a written assessment/multiple choice exam to establish your understanding of the areas that have been covered so far.

As you progress through the weeks, the gas course will develop and you will receive training in:

1. Legislation
2. Tightness Testing
3. Pipework requirements
4. Gas safety controls

Again, you will undertake a series of exams and practical assessments to satisfy your instructor that you fully understand all the areas covered at this stage.
Finally, we will provide you with training in:

1. Flueing
2. Ventilation
3. Unsafe situations

And with time permitting, we will provide extra training in the servicing of various appliances.

Work based Competence and Gas Portfolios

Following completion of your 3 weeks of Gas training, exams and assessments you will be deemed competent to undertake supervised gas work. The next step towards Gas Safe Register registration will be to demonstrate your competence in the work place and your aim will be to find work alongside a Gas Safe Register registered Engineer who will act as your on site recorder/verifier, helping you to build a portfolio to act as evidence and to prove your competence and safety working with Gas.

In order to complete this aspect of the training, you will be provided with a CITB portfolio containing guidance on obtaining onsite evidence. In addition, Able Skills Gas Instructors are readily available to answer any questions or queries which may arise whilst you are building your evidence. In addition, Able Skills has a forum which you can access to leave questions for your Instructors to answer.  

If you can arrange an Engineer to work alongside before coming on this course then that would be a better option for you as you will be familiar with the area in which you will be working however, Able Skills has put together an alliance of qualified, registered Gas Installers who we will place you with in order to complete the Portfolio aspect of this process to becoming Gas Safe registered. We have been busy providing training and assessment to potential Gas Engineers throughout the UK so we will try our best to place you with a registered Engineer in your area. There will be a fee for these services which will be paid to the Company you are placed with. For full details, please visit our Portfolio Completion page where full details of the correct procedure to undertake are documented.

CCN1 Simulation

Once your portfolio has been completed to the standards required by Able Skills Gas Assessors, candidates will be required to undertake a mandatory practical and written assessment which will simulate CCN1 plus 1 appliance in preparation for assessment for CCN1.

Once this has been successfully completed, you will receive your Intermediate Gas Certificate

Next steps….. CCN1 – Core Domestic Gas Safety

CCN1 will need to be completed before you are eligible for Gas Safe Register registration and this is a requirement for all operatives involved in the installation, maintenance and servicing of domestic gas appliances and pipework installations.

The purpose of this Training/Assessment is to provide operatives with the knowledge and skills relating to safety regulations, procedures and British Standards, which must be applied when working on Gas Installations.

Initial assessment for CCN1 will require 5 days and will be a mixture of additional training and assessment and will cover:

1. Gas Safety Regulations, British Standards and Manufacturers' Instructions.
2. Emergency Procedures, Labels and Warning Notices.
3. Unsafe Situations, and Related Documentation.
4. Combustion, Gas Rates, Burner/Installation Pressures.
5. Testing for Tightness, Purging and Relighting Appliances.
6. Pipework and Fittings.
7. Operation of Appliance Gas Safety Devices and Controls.
8. Ventilation.
9. Flueing Standards, Installation and Testing.

Appliances

1. CEN1 – Central Heating Boilers
2. MET1 – Meters
3. CKR1 – Domestic Cookers
4. HTR1 – Gas Fires & Wall Heaters
5. WAT1 – Water Heaters
6. CPA1 – Combustion Performance Analysis
7. DAH1 – Warm Air Heating Appliances – Coming Soon

Please visit the relevant pages for full details of all training and assessment details for Gas Appliances.

CORGI > Gas Safe Register

The way Gas Installers register is changing……

On 1 April 2009, Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI gas registration in Great Britain and is the official industry stamp for gas safety.

The Health and Safety Executive, who is responsible for regulating gas safety in Great Britain, will oversee Gas Safe Register.

The new register will provide enhanced levels of service and clearly written rules of registration. There will also be new services and benefits designed to improve the registration scheme and promote gas safety.

Please visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk for details of how the changes affect new and existing Gas Operatives