Leaving the Royal Navy To Re-Train As a Commercial/Domestic Gas Engineer

mike1237

Hello,

I am planning on leaving the Royal Navy at my 12 year point, which is in two and a half years time.

I am looking to be well on my way to becoming fully trained gas engineer and have relevant on-the-job experience with in my final two years.

I will be 31 by the time I leave and I know that I am to old for an apprenticeship but I am hoping to volunteer my services to companies for free in return for training.

My problem is that I can't figure out which course to start with. I have seen companies offering to train me up with ACS courses and then others are saying that ideally I should start with a NVQ Level 2.

Can anyone tell me what course I have to start with and then the next lot of courses that I must complete?

Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

wapow

I cant help you about courses but let me tell you of an interesting conversation i had with my joiner.

This guy is a workhorse. He does an amazing job. He doesnt even take tea or lunch breaks. he comes on time and leaves on time and does not disappear.

We were having a chat and i said to him look, by the time i get my house you'll be too old to do the great job you do now! So why dont you train people up under you and pass on your work ethic?

He mentioned a few things like he cant be asked dealing with young people .etc. but he also said that the government has made it extremely difficult to even take someone on for training. Too many health and safety and other issues.

So to consider taking up free training should only be approached about a year before you leave. (A year you will need).

As opposed to what courses you should do in the meantime -

Why dont you sign up to some gas/electric boards? Forums for tradesmen? These people will tell you what you require, if you dont get your answers here mate.

saintjammyswine

You could contact CTP (Career Transition Partnership) for advice.
https://www.ctp.org.uk/
They offer advice etc. for service leavers in finding employment & training when leaving the forces.

heretolearn_2

I honestly can't see anyone training you up for free in return for work - unless you have a brother or someone in the business who is going to do you a favour. Whatever work you can do is not worth the equal of the time of the fully qualified/trained person who is taking time out of work (that earns the firm the money) to train you. Add in all the complications of H&S, the fact that as an employee they HAVE to pay you at least minimum wage, or if you aren't an employee then nothing you do for them is covered by their insurance etc etc etc, it really isn't going to happen that way. That's not a plan.