This CSkills Awards Intermediate gas training course will prepare Service leavers for a career as a Gas Engineer with the option to extend into other areas such as commercial gas or smart metering. Course attendees will gain the necessary theory and practical experience to complete ACS assessments in Core Gas Safety and several appliances. ACS certificates in Gas Safety will enable the individual to seek employment as a Gas Engineer, or to consider individual Gas Safe registration.
Phase 1 Gas Training
The course will initially consist of 4 weeks of theory and practical training delivered by Mid Kent College at the new training facility at RSME Chatham.
Phase 1 Content
Week 1: Gas Pipework and fittings (identification and installation methods), Gas Safety legislation, Characteristics of combustion and natural gas, Positioning of emergency control valves and emergency procedures, BPEC Water Regulations.
Week 2: Standing and operating pressures, Gas rates, Tightness testing and purging, Checking/setting meter regulators, Ventilation requirements, Energy efficiency, practical plumbing skills.
Week 3: Flues, Carbon monoxide in dwellings and combustion performance of gas fired appliances, Gas safety devices and controls, practical plumbing skills.
Week 4: Unsafe situations/use of emergency notices and warning labels, re-establishing gas supplies and relighting appliances, appliances (central heating, boilers, cookers, fires, water heaters, meters), practical plumbing skills, practical appliances.
Following Phase 1 training the attendee must complete a 6–10 week work attachment with a civilian company, in order to compile the necessary Portfolio of Evidence required to gain the qualification. This portfolio must be submitted to the course trainers at Chatham.
The duration of the placement will depend upon the type of experience required to complete the portfolio and assessments. The placement should be organised by the attendee particularly if they have specific requirements on location etc. CTP can assist with finding a placement and has connections with employers; however, there are no guarantees on type of company or location.
Phase 2 Gas Assessments
After the work placement, attendees will return to the training centre at Chatham for a further 2 weeks to complete the examination and assessment phase of training. This will include written testing as well as verbal and practical assessments.
Successful candidates will receive the following CSkills Awards ACS Assessments:
- CCN1 Core Domestic Gas Safety plus up to 4 appliances: CENWAT1 (Central Heating and water heating appliances), CKR1 (Cooking Appliances), HTR1 (Fires and wall heaters), MET1 (Meters).
- BPEC Water Regulations Certificate.
- CSkills Energy Efficiency Certificate..
Phase 1: (20 days). Classroom and workshop training at RSME Chatham, followed by a period of work attachment between 6-10 weeks.
Phase 2: (10 days). The individual must return to RSME Chatham to complete examinations and assessments towards ACS Certification.
On successful completion of the ACS gas assessments, course attendees may apply for any Gas Engineer positions, provided they have the necessary appliance certificates for the role. Individuals may wish to apply to the Gas Safe Register for individual registration to undertake private gas work or to become self-employed, although it is highly recommended that Service leavers gain further experience with an Employer initially.