Given the specialist nature of the job, and the vital importance of health and safety in the industry, becoming a fully qualified gas engineer requires a high level of training and expertise.
Along with in-depth hands-on and theory-based learning, your training will include the completion of a work-based portfolio and accredited assessments that meet the latest gas regulations.
Considering a career in gas but unsure about the training involved? Below we’ll detail each stage of learning, along with the estimated timescales for completion of each.
How long does initial gas training take to complete?
Your initial training will be a mix of practical workshop and classroom-based learning covering a variety of topics. This should take around eight weeks to complete on a full-time basis. If you choose to complete training on a part-time basis, this completion time can vary depending on your schedule.
Topics covered throughout this period include:
- Health and Safety
- Heating controls
- Soldering techniques
- Dimension calculations
- Hot and cold water theory
- Legislation
- Pipework
- Flueing
- Gas rates
Portfolio completion
After your initial training, you’ll work alongside an experienced gas engineer to complete a portfolio. This is a vital stage as it allows you to put your learnings into practice out in the field. Your portfolio requires 150 hours of supervised work to be logged before moving to the next stage of your training.
ACS assessment
Finally, you’ll need to complete your ACS assessment. This examination tests both your practical ability and theory knowledge, and is needed before you join the Gas Safe Register—a requirement for any engineer before carrying out work. Able Skills allocates five days to complete your ACS assessment, and once this is passed, you’ll be able to begin working in the field in a domestic setting.
For engineers who want to work in a commercial setting, you’ll need to complete a separate commercial ACS assessment, which lasts around 15 days.
What if I’m already a plumber?
Given the frequent crossovers between the plumbing and gas industries, experienced plumbers can complete a managed learning programme rather than a full gas training course. This streamlined option will build on the skills you already hold, adding the necessary training and theory to become qualified in gas.
Want to learn more about the gas training on offer at Able Skills? Drop by the training centre for a chat and we’d be happy to help you find the right course, if you can’t make it in give us a call on 01322 280 202.