Continuing Gas safe certification after leaving company that paid for it

[BerlinaSportiva]

Hi All,

First of all sorry if the title is not descriptive enough. That’s best that came to my mind after long day of work.
A bit of background. I’m a commercial plumber and water treatment specialist that at some point decided to go Gas Safe. I’ve convinced the company I’m working for to pay for the course in March 2018 and went a on a course. Decided to go with Brookhouse training as it’s local ( yes I know there are different options bout them but I’ve quite liked them). There comes the pain. My company didn’t allow me to do portfolio part till last February! Yes 2019 I’ve competed 22 jobs and written some up but they keep me from getting further. Basically after long discussions it’s leading nowhere therefore I would like to leave them( the company I work for). Now question is can I continue that training on my own completing portfolio and paying for ACS? Technically I’ll become engineer but my still current company paid for full course. I’m setting myself up as sole trader next week and got base of clients who wants me to cover gas.
What’s the best way around it?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

no as your not qualified to be on your own (doing gas) two options

one you go with a gas safe engy and finish your "portfolio"

two employ a gas safe engineer to do the gas jobs with you and get him to sign them off

either way you cant do gas work/jobs on your own need a qualified person with you

 

[Dan]

I'd perhaps seek some advice from the training people too. What you've done so far surely can't go against you and isn't wasted. It's just furthering that that will be an issue I guess.

Don't suppose you've spoken to them about it?

Have you fully left the firm already?

 

[rpm]

If the company paid for the course to start with then don`t be suprised if they want that money back.

 

[BerlinaSportiva]

no as your not qualified to be on your own (doing gas) two options

one you go with a gas safe engy and finish your "portfolio"

two employ a Registered Gas Engineer to do the gas jobs with you and get him to sign them off

either way you cant do gas work/jobs on your own need a qualified person with you

Ok I’ve must have put question in a wrong way. I have an engineer to finish my portfolio with. May even do it before I leave. My question is can I just attend ACS being On my own ( as new company) using part of portfolio done within previous company. In other words is portfolio attached to engineer or payer ( in that case my soon to be former employer) and can I just pay of ACS when I have my portfolio submitted to get on ACS, or is it starting whole course all over?

 

[snowhead]

It doesn't matter who paid for the course if it's completed.

However when they agreed to pay for your training did you sign an agreement to pay the costs back if you left?
Or do their standard terms and conditions state any training costs have to be paid back if you leave within a certain time?

 

[BerlinaSportiva]

It doesn't matter who paid for the course if it's completed.

However when they agreed to pay for your training did you sign an agreement to pay the costs back if you left?
Or do their standard terms and conditions state any training costs have to be paid back if you leave within a certain time?

I didn’t sign anything. It’s better as they didn’t issue my new contract for 4 years so technically I’ve got 1 week leaving period. Plus no obligations verbally or in writing to pay anything back.

 

[Dan]

Yeah I'm not sure all firms would try cover their arse like that. They'd assume a percentage will leave if they're big enough? Surely.

The costs to train any person in any company is massive. They don't ask you to pay it back after. It's your own qualification you've earned...?

Good luck on the new business front either way.

 

[king of pipes]

You would normally be on probation for 6months after completing your training and your portfolio have several vists from your local gas safe inspector to demonstrate your competence before being signed off and being free to install and self certify your work, as you have not completed your portfolio then you will not be able to register as a gas safe installer and a gas safe sole trader, it maybe possible for you to finish the portfolio under the wing of a fully qualified gas safe engineer but he must be with you commission and certify the gas work you complete and you cannot just start fitting appliances until you are proved competent by gas safe, the other problem you have is you are employed and any training you have completed will have been paid for by them any qualifications you have gained will be as their employee they could make it very awkward for you if they so wish, and it's quite possible will need to retrain, in my opinion you are leaving about a year to early if you had gained your full gas safe qualifications then you could leave and register as a installer with no issues . Good luck kop

 

[Brambles]

Berlina,

The key to the solution to your problem is your training provider.

The is no provision within the Managed Learning Program of ACS for part qualification or (normally) to change course providers.

To complete your qualification it would need to be done with the same training provider. With respect to the portfolio, it is only complete when written up ( with photographs) signed off by the supervising gas safe engineer and accepted by the Training Provider. Before you leave your current employer, it is vital that your portfolio is up to date and fully signed off by both parties.

I have seen it too many times that when an employee has left in the midst of ACS training, the employer refuses to sign off the individual portfolio jobs.

I would sit down with your training supervisor, with your portfolio to date and get him / her to tell you exactly and in precise detail what needs completing before you can apply for the ACS examination.

 

[oz-plumber]

I would sit down and have a chat with your employer.

Jilted Bosses can be, or are, vindictive pricks when they want to be.
Particularly when they have paid for extra training of an employee, at their expense.

If you walk out on a weeks notice - don't expect anything.

 

[Jim09876]

I’m glad there clamping down on this, had a couple guys leave my firm after having paid thousands for training. Had to become a one man band because of this type of thing plus there’s a lot of thieving little barstools within this industry. Not saying your one of those guys though so good luck.