Soaring Apprenticeships Figures Good News For Gas Engineering Students

Indicative data published by the Government shows that apprenticeship starts for the academic year 2010/11 rose by more than 50% compared to the same time the previous year which is promising news for anyone looking for a career in gas engineering.

The figures show that apprenticeship numbers have risen across all age ranges and levels of training across the apprenticeships programme from 442,700 in the full 2010/11 academic year compared to 279,700 starts in 2009/10.

Of the 442,700 apprenticeships starts between August 2010 and July 2011 there were 292,700 intermediate level starts, 147,900 advanced level starts, and 2,100 higher apprenticeship starts.

Here at Gas Training and Assessment, Basildon’s premier gas training specialists, we are very optimistic about future prospects for gas engineering students and these figures suggest that with more investment in the training and development of young people, opportunities for employment will continue to grow.

John Harrison, partner in the firm, said: “With university fees increasing, more and more young people are looking at the gas sector and other industries to acquire a skilled trade which will improve their job prospects and help them achieve a rewarding career. As economic conditions improve and more companies take advantage of cash incentives from the Government to help fund apprentices, more and more opportunities will become available to give young people a lifeline.”

Gas Training and Assessment has been established for 15 years providing training to accommodate all levels from entrants through to experienced gas engineers. A variety of courses are open to both staff and self-employed heating engineers and bookings can be made as and when required. The gas specialist can also provide assessment alone if training is not required.

The centre’s tutors and assessors are all highly-qualified gas and electrical engineers with many years experience.

For more information on courses and assessments, call 01268 727797.

Basildon Gas Training Specialists Help Heating Engineers Meet New Legislation Requirements

Are you trained to work in the gas industry but have yet to upgrade your certification to incorporate CPA1? If yes then time is running out.

Gas fitters or heating engineers only have five months to become CPA1 compliant otherwise they face restrictions on the type of work they are approved to carry out, warns leading Basildon gas specialist Gas Training & Assessment.

CPA1 is a mandatory assessment criterion covering the combustion process which basically shows a gas fitter understands the correct and safe use of a flue gas analyser and CO/CO2 detection.

Many manufacturers demand the use of a flue gas analyser to carry out commissioning, servicing or repair work on high-efficiency condensing boilers and flueless fires. Any professional heating engineer wanting to commission or carry out servicing of modern appliances must gain the certification by 31 March 2012.

Anyone taking CEN1 and/or HTR1 will also be required to take CPA1 while current holders of CEN1 and/or HTR1 will have until 1 April to complete the course.

Here at Gas Training & Assessment we hold a one-day course on CPA1 including training and assessment for heating engineers across Essex from our premises in Britannia Court, Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, Basildon.

John Harrison, partner said: “If you are not CPA1 certified, and currently working with boilers or fires, you won’t be able to register with the Gas Safety Register and could effectively make yourself redundant. It’s vital you make sure your qualifications are up to date ahead of the deadline.”

Our course is open to both staff and self-employed heating engineers and bookings can be made as and when required. We can also provide assessment alone if training is not required.

For more information on CPA1 or any other course or assessment, call us on 01268 727797.