A quick guide to becoming a qualified engineer:

Here at Able Skill, we run a variety of plumbing and gas courses that are all for a different purpose. We can take you from no experience to becoming a registered, qualified and confident engineer with the help of our immaculate facilities and experienced instructors. A switch of careers has never been easier if you fancy a change of pace, carry out hand-on work instead of sitting on that same desk every day then you're in luck! Self-employment as a Gas engineer is a great way to earn a living and we are here to help you get there.

Step one - Training:

The first step on the path towards self-employment in this sector is to get the proper knowledge and practical ability - we have made it simple to gain all the necessary skill through one course...Our New Entrant Gas Training Package 1 is the best place to start for beginners and get off to a great start in the industry - This 7-week courses will give you hands-on training. Here at our centre, we have workstations set-up to simulate on-site work and so that students can have their own space to practice and develop.

Gas being a technical subject, the 7-weeks will include a lot of different topics, let's take a look at some of them: 

  • Training on aspects of health and safety-relevant within the gas industry, including asbestos awareness
  • Training to work safely around electrical systems
  • Training in the use of copper and low carbon steel so that your pipe skills are established at an acceptable standard.
  • Training on heating controls, Airing cupboard and radiator installation practices
  • Training in all areas of domestic gas safety

This will cover a large range of subjects:

  • Cutting and measuring copper tube accurately
  • Pipe-work preparation for soldering
  • Soldering techniques / Practicing soldering/soldering assessments
  • Cutting assembling and jointing compression fittings frames to specific dimensions
  • Cutting and treading low carbon steel pipe
  • Jointing steel pipe
  • The use of different fittings on steel pipe
  • All pipe-work is tested to 3 bar for 3 min
  • Hot and cold water theory
  • Heating Controls – theory
  • Different types of heating systems
  • Different types of heating controls and their functions
  • Positioning an indirect cylinder in an airing cupboard
  • Connecting cold water supplies to a cylinder
  • Hot water pipework from the cylinder
  • Coldwater distribution from a simulated loft area
  • Legislation
  • Tightness Testing
  • Pipework requirements
  • Pipe sizing
  • Gas rates / Heat inputs
  • Flueing
  • Appliance installation and servicing
  • Ventilation
  • Unsafe situations

And much more...

Step 2 - Portfolio:

After successfully completing the 7-week course it will be time to start your work placement in order to complete a portfolio. You will need to gather evidence of work that you have completed as proof of your competence and ability to complete Gas work effectively and correctly - this will need to be completed via working with a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

Gas courses

Step 3 - ACS:

ACS or Accredited Certification Scheme is the next step and is a competency test that is industry recognised and needs to be completed. The purpose of this assessment and teaching is to provide students with the knowledge and skills relating to safety regulations, procedures and British Standards. All of which must be applied when working on Gas Installations!

Step 4 - Gas Safe Register:

The fourth an final step is applying to the Gas Safe Register! Before applying to register you will need relevant qualifications and evidence of your competence. Evidence of competence is awarded through the process of proving to the awarding body that there is the necessary experience to take the assessment. Once an engineer has the required evidence this information will be passed to Gas Safe Register. You have completed your ACS to be passed so do not try to skip a step it will not work.

It's very easy to apply these days it costs around £362 and can be done online see their website here: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

When you apply for registration you will be given a probationary registration status. The means your business is fully registered and able to carry out gas work, but you must adhere to the requirements laid out below for the probationary period.

Contact us:

If you would like to contact us regarding Gas courses or any other training that we provide here at our training centre, then do not hesitate to get a hold of us. You can do that in a couple of ways, firstly, give us a call on 01322 280 202! Secondly, we have an open-door policy meaning that during opening hours (8:30 - 16:30) we are happy to see anyone that comes into our office, we will show you around and give you advice, recommendations and answer any questions you may have about Gas courses or other training. We are located in Dartford on the border between London and Kent, just a short walk away from Dartford train station!

K5, Riverside Industrial Estate, Riverside Way, Dartford DA1 5BS