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Gas Training and Assessment Centre providing Training to experienced Gas Engineers and New Entrants to the Gas Industry.

NE4 COURSE (NEW ENTRANTS)

The NE4 Course is designed by ECS to enable people with no formal Gas or Plumbing qualifications to enter the Gas Industry. The training is flexible, to allow the candidate to carry it out around their current employment or day to day duties. The course covers training on all of the 15 Core Competencies required for ACS Core Domestic Gas Safety (CCN1) and the Flue Gas Analyser element (CPA1).

The successful candidate will then complete an Appliance element of their choice, in relation to their future work plans. For example, a person who is intending to work on a Gas Meter Exchange Programme would carry out MET1 (Meters). A person wishing to work on Cookers (kitchen fitter) would carry out CKR1, to work on Central Heating (CEN1) etc.

A person wishing to carry out all of the appliance elements may be able to do so after completing the NE4 Course, providing they have gained sufficient experience whilst completing their on-the-job training. The Course is split into four sections, which can be carried out at different times although it is beneficial to the candidate to carry out parts A and B together.

Can prepare you for ACS in as little as four weeks
Split into four sections so that you can complete it whilst continuing to work
Pay as you go so you can spread the cost.

PART A (THEORY)

Two weeks intensive training covering all aspects of theory required in ACS Assessments. Some home study may be required during this section, depending on the candidate's existing knowledge and ability to learn.

PART B (PRACTICAL)

One week hands on practical in centre, covering all of the tasks required for ACS Assessments:

Tightness Testing
Gas Rating
Working Pressures
Burner Pressures
Flue testing
Spillage Testing

PART C (PORTFOLIO BUILDING)

ECS provide the candidate with a portfolio, along with full instruction of how to complete it. The candidate gathers the evidence whilst under the supervision of a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

If the candidate finds his own engineer, ECS will monitor his portfolio building FREE OF CHARGE!

However, if the candidate is unable to find an engineer who is willing to help, then ECS can provide a list of engineers for the candidate to contact themselves. Most engineers will require a fee to provide this service, this can be negotiated individually.

There is no specific time limit to building a portfolio, but there are a minimum number of tasks to be completed. Some candidates may already have completed these tasks, and can then enter evidence into their portfolio. The portfolio must be complete before a candidate can be accepted onto Part D of the course.

PART D (ACS ASSESSMENTS)

On the production of a completed portfolio, the candidate will complete "Pathway to Gas Assessments" and be awarded a Certificate to prove their achievement. They will then attempt ACS Assessments.

CCN1 CORE COMPETENCIES

CC1 Gas Safety legislation
CC2 Gas Emergency Actions and Procedures
CC3 Combustion
CC4 Ventilation
CC5 Installation of Pipe-work and Fittings
CC6 Testing for Tightness
CC7 Checking Meter Regulators
CC8 Identification of unsafe situations, Emergency Notices and Labels
CC9 The operation and positioning of Emergency Controls and Valves
CC10 Checking and Setting of appliance Gas Safety Devices and Controls
CC11 The operation of appliance Gas Safety Controls
CC12 Fluing Standards
CC13 Flue Testing
CC14 Installation of Open, Balanced and Fan Assisted Flue Assemblies
CC15 Re-establish gas supply and re-light appliances

ECS 1 AND ECS 2 COURSE (SUITABLE FOR CATEGORY 2 APPLICATION)

The ECS1 Course is designed for people who already work in the Gas or Plumbing Industry and have some experience. The candidate must hold an NVQ Level II in Plumbing or an associated trade. We can check your qualifications to find out if they are suitable. Prior to starting the course, the candidate must also prove that they have worked in the Industry under the supervision of a Registered Gas Engineer. This can be by means of a portfolio of evidence, or a confirmation letter from the engineer or company with whom they have gained their experience.

The course is flexible and can be worked around your current day to day employment or duties. The length of the course depends on how much knowledge and experience that you already have.

We start by holding an initial interview, which is an informal chat that can be carried out at your place of work, your home, here at ECS, or via email. It takes approximately 20 minutes, and it will tell us how much you already know, and how much you have forgotten!

The average length of a course for a Category two candidate is normally four days Training followed by four days Assessment. Some candidates will complete the whole Training and Assessment in as little as Five Days!

COURSE CONTENT

Includes Theory & Practical Training on:

Flues & Ventilation
Combustion
Testing Procedures
Gas Rating and Burner Pressures
Familiarisation with Industry reference material
Safe Use of the Flue Gas Analyser

ACCREDITED CERTIFICATION SCHEME (ACS)

To work in the Gas Industry legally, a person must prove their competence by completing the necessary ACS Assessments with the initial assessment being the Core Domestic Gas Safety (CCN1). After this, a person can move on to complete ACS Assessments on the Gas Appliances that they wish to work on.

For a person to be eligible to complete ACS Assessments he or she must fit into one of the following categories:

Category 1
A person who has previously undertaken ACS or ACOPS, and can produce a certificate of proof. This person can complete ACS.

Category 2
A person who holds an associated qualification such as a C&G or NVQ in Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, Mechanical Engineering etc. We can check your Qualification to see if it is suitable. This person would require the ECS1/2 Course.

Category 3
A person with little or no experience within the Gas Industry, and who holds no formal qualifications. This person would require the NE4 Course

ACS PRICES

CCN1 Preparation training per half day £50.00
CCN1 Core Safety Initial Assessment £350.00
CENWAT Central Heating Initial Assessment £120.00
CKR1 Cookers Initial Assessment £120.00
HTR1 Fires Initial Assessment £120.00
MET1 Meters Initial Assessment £80.00
CPA1 Flue Gas Analyser Initial Assessment £150.00
CCN1 Reassessment £300.00
APPS Reassessment (each) £75.00

Trading Since

2008