re training as gas engineer

pippa123

First off hello all, first post and all that..
Anyroad, would just like a few opinions.
Im considering retraining in gas engineering, which will cost around 3 to 4 grand or so, thing is i am 24 and am concerned about the prospects of actually getting work once i'm qualified and on the gas safe register. Obviously i'd have the qualifications but little experience, so i'd be competing with people that would potentially have years more experience than me, if you get my drift.

Any working gas engineers here give me opinions on what my prospects could be? Or if there's any similar people here that have retrained in gas maybe give me an insight of their experiences.

Cheers in advance.

Hammyman

Most companies, if not all, will only employ people who have done an apprenticeship or have years of employment in the job. Those who have done fast track courses end up on the bottom of the pile of applications.

pippa123

When i search job sites there are seem to be lots of jobs for gas fitters.If im willing to work really hard will i not be able to do this? Is there not still a shortage? Is there any trade that is worth re training as at my age?

pippa123

ha sorry i forgot to mention that i am mark her boyfriend we use the same account. Anyone with any good advice?

dori2o

pippa123 wrote: »

First off hello all, first post and all that..
Anyroad, would just like a few opinions.
Im considering retraining in gas engineering, which will cost around 3 to 4 grand or so, thing is i am 24 and am concerned about the prospects of actually getting work once i'm qualified and on the gas safe register. Obviously i'd have the qualifications but little experience, so i'd be competing with people that would potentially have years more experience than me, if you get my drift.

Any working gas engineers here give me opinions on what my prospects could be? Or if there's any similar people here that have retrained in gas maybe give me an insight of their experiences.

Cheers in advance.

It's a good trade to get into.The problem with these@get qualified in 3 weeks' courses is that it's not actually that easy.

The plumbing based part is fine, get your water regs ticket and away you go, but to get your gas you need experience, and you can only get experience by doing the job for real onsite. That means either working for a company as an apprentice / semi qualified and having someone sign off your work untilyou can get enough evidence to be signed of yourself, or trying to find a local plumber who will help you get qualified, even if it means you work for free on a weekend as a mate of mine did.

His reasoning was that by working for nothing, or maybe £20 a day over the weekend, he could do the work and get qualified, which would give him a better return in the years to come.

He worked his normal job during the day, went to nightschool, and worked with his mate on the weekend when possible.

So, just make sure your expectations are clear before handing over the £3k or so, you will NOT be a fully qualified gas engineer when the training company has finished with you.

If you want to go into this trade, best advice is speak to local plumbing firms and enquire if they would be willing to take you on in an apprentices role. far better way of learning the ropes and getting qualified. You would honestly be better off spending your £3k on the day release course if you're too old for a traditional apprenticeship (by that I mean if the employer is unable to get funding due to your age it may be worth paying the course fees for day release yourself and earning a low wage working for the employer. The experience you get working 4/5/6 days a week with experienced qualified plumbers is far better than that you will receive in a training room.)

pippa123

dori2o wrote: »

It's a good trade to get into.The problem with these@get qualified in 3 weeks' courses is that it's not actually that easy.

The plumbing based part is fine, get your water regs ticket and away you go, but to get your gas you need experience, and you can only get experience by doing the job for real onsite. That means either working for a company as an apprentice / semi qualified and having someone sign off your work untilyou can get enough evidence to be signed of yourself, or trying to find a local plumber who will help you get qualified, even if it means you work for free on a weekend as a mate of mine did.

His reasoning was that by working for nothing, or maybe £20 a day over the weekend, he could do the work and get qualified, which would give him a better return in the years to come.

He worked his normal job during the day, went to nightschool, and worked with his mate on the weekend when possible.

So, just make sure your expectations are clear before handing over the £3k or so, you will NOT be a fully qualified gas engineer when the training company has finished with you.

If you want to go into this trade, best advice is speak to local plumbing firms and enquire if they would be willing to take you on in an apprentices role. far better way of learning the ropes and getting qualified. You would honestly be better off spending your £3k on the day release course if you're too old for a traditional apprenticeship (by that I mean if the employer is unable to get funding due to your age it may be worth paying the course fees for day release yourself and earning a low wage working for the employer. The experience you get working 4/5/6 days a week with experienced qualified plumbers is far better than that you will receive in a training room.)

Hey thanks for this response. I always thought to get on the day release course you had to be already employed by a firm as an apprentice? I would bne too old which is why i was thinking about doing the intense 3 month course. I would be more than happy to pay for the day releae course myself. Would i need to aproach the local college first of the local plumbing services agreeing to pay for the day release course myself? thankyou.

LudaMusser

My Dad is 63 yrs old and has worked for British Gas since he was 16 yrs old as a service engineer. I know alot of his friends who are also service engineers, they make a very good living. Basic pay is around £25k, my Dad said recently that some of the young lads who just work work work and are on call make £50k. A few of my Dad`s friends left maybe 5-10 years ago, one started up on his own. I saw him last wkend and he said that work is very slow at the moment, this is somebody with 40+ yrs experience and he is also a very good plasterer etc. When work comes in thoug he can make £500 in one or two days very easily fitting a boiler or CH system. I have no doubt it would be a good job to get in to, esp if you could become qualified whilst in ure other job. HTH

Hammyman

pippa123 wrote: »

Hey thanks for this response. I always thought to get on the day release course you had to be already employed by a firm as an apprentice? I would bne too old which is why i was thinking about doing the intense 3 month course.

There is no age limit to being an apprentice and in a field with a large shortage, they'll be more ready to accept a "mature" apprentice.

pippa123

Hammyman wrote: »

There is no age limit to being an apprentice and in a field with a large shortage, they'll be more ready to accept a "mature" apprentice.

They seem to only want 16-19 year olds in my experience. Thats why if i can pay for the day release course myself it seems like the best option Does anyone know if i need to approach the local college first of the plumbing companies?
Has anyone had experience paying for the day release their selves and getting empoyed? Im just curious to if this is a common thing.