Gas Training Course for Plumbers

How To Become A Gas Engineer (Plumbers and other related trades)

Becoming a Gas Safe registered Engineer will require:

• Training - Undertake comprehensive training, by way of an accredited Managed Learning Programme (MLP)
• Portfolio - Prove competence in real working environments by completing a portfolio of related gas works, under supervision of a Gas Safe registered Engineer
• ACS Exams - Undertaking ACS gas assessments

Training

LCL Awards Gas Managed Learning Programme (MLP)

This package of learning has been designed specifically for those of you with industry experience and will cover all the theory and practical knowledge that you will need to move you through the process of becoming Gas Safe registered. The duration for this training aspect is dependent on your experience and knowledge, which will be assessed by way of a short assessment and exam. The course will cover:

• Safety, legislation and standards
• Gas emergency actions and procedures
• Products and characteristics of combustion
• Ventilation for domestic gas burning appliances
• Installation of pipework and fittings (including copper/low carbon steel bending and jointing)
• Tightness testing and purging
• Checking and setting appliance burner pressures and gas rates
• Checking and/or setting meter regulators
• Re-establish existing gas supply and re-light appliances
• Operation and positioning of emergency isolation controls and valves
• Operation and checking of appliance gas safety devices and controls
• Chimney standards, installation, inspection and testing
• Unsafe situations, emergency notices and warning labels
• Cutting and measuring copper tube accurately
• Pipe-work preparation and Soldering techniques
• X and Z dimension calculations
• How to assemble compression fittings / compression fitting assessments
• Cutting and treading low carbon steel pipe
• Jointing steel pipe
• Heating Controls – theory
• Different types of heating systems, controls and their functions
• Gas rates / Heat inputs
• Gas safety controls
• Combustion Performance Analysis
• Flueing
• Appliance installation and servicing

There will be written exams and practical assessments throughout the training period. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be provided with a LCL Awards Candidate Workbook (Portfolio) and guidance for completion.

If you do not have any trade related qualifications or at least 2 years comprehensive experience working in the plumbing and/or gas industry, please see How To Become A Gas Engineer (New Entrants)

Portfolio

Work Placement (Portfolio Completion) - Work based Competence and Gas Portfolios

Following completion of this domestic gas programme, you will be deemed competent to undertake supervised gas work. The next step towards Gas Safe registration will be to demonstrate your competence in the workplace and you do this by working alongside a Gas Safe Registered Engineer who acts as your on-site recorder/verifier, helping you to build a portfolio of evidence and prove your competence and safety working with Gas.

Able Skills will place you with a Gas Safe registered Engineer employed by Able Skills and with their assistance, you will undertake a variety of gas work on a variety of appliances to meet the requirements of the portfolio to move you on to your formal gas assessments (ACS). You will receive guidance throughout on how the portfolio evidence should be recorded.

You are allocated a 2-year window to complete your portfolio although many of you will achieve this in a much quicker time. Please be advised that from the point of completing your training, you will not be permitted to assess for ACS until a minimum of 6 months has passed.

ACS

ACS (Approved Certification Scheme) - Core Domestic Gas Safety including CENWAT (Boilers/Water Heaters)

Following successful completion of the portfolio, you will return to Able Skills for ACS assessment covering:

• Core Domestic Gas Safety (CCN1) and
• Central Heating Boilers / Water Heaters (CENWAT)

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

The purpose of this 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/CENWAT will require 5 days and will cover:

• Gas Safety Regulations, British Standards and Manufacturers' Instructions
• Emergency Procedures, Labels and Warning Notices
• Unsafe Situations, and Related Documentation
• Combustion, Gas Rates, Burner/Installation Pressures
• Testing for Tightness, Purging and Relighting Appliances
• Pipework and Fittings
• Operation of Appliance Gas Safety Devices and Controls
• Ventilation
• Flueing Standards, Installation and Testing

Other gas related appliances are not included in this package.  You will have to wait 12 months from completion of your ACS (and be Gas Safe registered) before being able to add appliances such as

• CKR1 (Cookers)
• HTR1 (Fires)
• MET1 (Meters)
• DAH1 (Warm Air Units)

*If candidates fail to achieve the required level of competency in either the practical or theory assessment, it may be necessary for them to re-sit the sections which they have failed. If this situation arises an additional cost will be incurred.

Location

All our courses take place at our dedicated training centres in Dartford, Kent. The centre is easily accessible by road, being just 10 minutes from junction 1a on the M25. We are only a short walk from Dartford train station which is served by frequent trains taking 35 minutes from central London. For anyone travelling from further away, we have our own accommodation available at only £25 per night.

We are open 7 days a week (08.30 – 16.00) for visitors so if you would like to find out more about this course or about Able Skills, please feel free to pop in, no appointment necessary

Training Options and Prices

Please choose from the packages of training below, based on your requirements

Bronze Package – Experienced Trades Gas Training

• Gas Managed Learning Programme
• ACS – 1 week

This BRONZE package will suit you if you are able to source your own Gas Safe registered Engineer for the portfolio aspect of this process.

Cost £4,045.00 inc VAT

Pay In Advance:

Pay for your course in advance by debit card, credit card or BACS and receive a free toolkit worth £200 on completion of your course.

Pay As You Train:

Book your course online, over the phone or at the centre by paying a £500 deposit and then pay the balance (£2695) in weekly instalments over the duration of your training. This will leave £850 for your ACS assessment, and this can be paid when you are ready to book this.

Silver Package – Experienced Trades Gas Training

• Gas Managed Learning Programme
• Portfolio placement with Able Skills Gas Engineer
• ACS – 1 week

This SILVER package will suit you if you are unable to source your own Gas Safe registered Engineer and need Able Skills to arrange the placement for you.

Cost £5,045.00 inc VAT

Pay In Advance:

Pay for your course in advance by debit card, credit card or BACS and receive a free toolkit worth £200 on completion of your course.

Pay As You Train:

Book your course online, over the phone or at the centre by paying a £500 deposit and then pay the balance (£2695) in weekly instalments over the duration of your training. This will be followed by £1000 for the gas portfolio placement (can be paid in 2 parts), leaving £850 for your ACS assessment and this can be paid when you are ready to book this.

Gold Package – Experienced Trades Gas Training

• Gas Managed Learning Programme
• Portfolio placement with Able Skills Gas Engineer
• Boiler Fault Finding Course
• ACS – 1 week

This GOLD package will suit you if you are unable to source your own Gas Safe registered Engineer BUT also includes a 5-day hands on, practical Boiler Fault Finding and Heating Controls course – this will enhance your gas skills and knowledge no end.

Cost £5,540.00 inc VAT

Pay In Advance:

Pay for your course in advance by debit card, credit card or BACS and receive a free toolkit worth £200 on completion of your course.

Pay As You Train:

Book your course online, over the phone or at the centre by paying a £500 deposit and then pay the balance (£2695) in weekly instalments over the duration of your training. This will be followed by £1000 for the gas portfolio placement (can be paid in 2 parts), leaving £850 for your ACS assessment and this can be paid when you are ready to book this. You can undertake the Fault-Finding course at any stage after your training and the cost for this is £495.00