Training to be a gas engineer?

mikeassured

My husband is currently self employed in the building maintenance industry and has been all his working life. He has now reached 40 and would like to do a career change and become a gas engineer. We have looked into it to some degree but it seems so difficult to achieve this. For instance, he needs to continue with his current business to pay our bills, but find time to go out with a corgi engineer to build a portfolio.

Are there any gas engineers out there who could offer some advice on the best way forward in this??

Thanks

Sue

alyth

We recently had our boiler serviced by British Gas and I was chatting to the guy. Apparently, British Gas are desperate for engineers, and will train you. You study for a period of time, then do on the job training, then back studying, and I think he said it last 4 years. I remember him saying that the starting pay was £17K. I have absolutely no idea though how you would find out about this though, I just remember thinking that's more than I earn and I was in the wrong job! I think you have to stay with British Gas (or Scottish Gas in my case) for a certain period of time after your training, but the guy certainly gave me the impression they were a good company to work for, despite their soaring gas prices! Good luck to your husband.

the_gasman_2

The best advice i can give you is to do what apprentices do. Get a placement with a training centre/college and find someone who is willing to take you on to learn hands on stuff.
My company has just had a guy from army working voluntarily to get his portfolio together whilst doing day release at college. He still had his army wage coming in though. I left the navy to do this job, but i got in before the portfolio came in and from an engineering background was able to walk into training centre and take gas exams.
I wish you all the luck in the world. Just be persistent and be prepared to be in the apprentice role again. It will pay dividends in the long run. I love my job.
Good luck and well done for taking the challenge...:T

Richard

mikeassured

Thanks for telling of your experience Richard. We have managed to find a corgi engineer willing to take him along to get experience and to help him build the portfolio. We have also got him on one month training course which does mean he will not be able to work for the whole of June, but we are looking at this long term and know there will have to be some sacrifices along the way!

Sue

pinkmango

I think training courses are the way to go, sure try and get an apprenticeship but he is still going to need qualifications - I have used a wonderful centre based in the midlands, they were really friendly and will train people from all levels they are called Midlands Construction College and they specialise in gas training courses and corgi / gas safe courses for more info on their courses you should visit their website