Mentorship for portfolio

[Opal99]

Hi

Are there any qualified Gas safe engineers who mainly work on boilers (servicing/repairs and some installations) who could help me build my portfolio? I’m also happy to learn on other appliances too but boilers would be my priority.

I have nearly completed the theory side (open book exams) but need a placement before I can go on to complete my ACS. I am aware there are loads of people in my situation but I thought I would try on here even if there is only a small chance.

I understand this is a lot to ask and I am willing to pay a fee (depends on how much though). You would need to be a calm and patient person as this is the only way I can learn. If you feel you can help and you live in any of the following areas then please private message me:
Merseyside, Wirral.

 

[DuncanM]

Mentor first then course. Training centres who are happy to take money with no mentor in place should be shot. Many never actually achieve their ACS due to this.

 

[Opal99]

Mentor first then course. Training centres who are happy to take money with no mentor in place should be shot. Many never actually achieve their ACS due to this.

Exactly. My teacher keeps telling me to find a placement myself saying that if I really wanted one I would find one...he does not seem to understand how difficult it is.

 

[DuncanM]

It is not easy and he knows it. Possible he owns the centre and as he is not under any obligation to not accept people with no mentor. College I go to for my resits every 5 years does not take students on unless they have a mentor to sign off work. They get grants though and are under pressure to have a high success rate of passes on the course.

 

[Opal99]

It is not easy and he knows it. Possible he owns the centre and as he is not under any obligation to not accept people with no mentor. College I go to for my resits every 5 years does not take students on unless they have a mentor to sign off work. They get grants though and are under pressure to have a high success rate of passes on the course.

He does not own the centre but he keeps insisting it’s up to me even though they did say they could sort me out a placement before I started (but nothing in writing). The thing is without anything in writing he is probably right as I don’t think verbal agreements count.

 

[DuncanM]

Afraid not if only verbal. It is up to you to find a mentor. I think though they should not take money if someone does not have a mentor in place. Without it you can not sit the ACS test. They should sell you a book and take it away and learn the theory while securing as mentor first. Then pay them for their promise as it is now achievable with a mentor to guide, teach and develop the theory in to practice with the end result you proving you understand the theory and everything else. It's a hard slog and it does not get any easier after, in fact it gets harder.

 

[Opal99]

Afraid not if only verbal. It is up to you to find a mentor. I think though they should not take money if someone does not have a mentor in place. Without it you can not sit the ACS test. They should sell you a book and take it away and learn the theory while securing as mentor first. Then pay them for their promise as it is now achievable with a mentor to guide, teach and develop the theory in to practice with the end result you proving you understand the theory and everything else. It's a hard slog and it does not get any easier after, in fact it gets harder.

I think they genuinely are trying to secure a placement as I've not paid any money yet but I'm scared of getting a big 'I owe you' after finishing the course but not securing a placement. I always knew when I went into this it would not be easy as gas is a massive subject but I am enjoying the course & once I get the practical experience I think that will make a massive difference. I think it must be like giving someone a book on 'how to ride a horse' but not actually putting them in the saddle. Things on paper always seem so much easier.

 

[DuncanM]

Glad they have not had your cash off you. I hope you get a start somewhere and get experience. You just need to keep trying, I suppose. Most people end up a plumber through a family connection or friends dad. Very hard to find someone who is prepaired to train the next addition to the competition. Established companies with a few vans out on the road might struggle for labourers on occasion and you may get a start. Lots of small one man bands in this game who can have a feast one month a famine the next hard to commit to establish someone else.

 

[OffshoreGas]

I ended up going with a centre that provided a paid mentorship. Cost £1500 fo myself and each of the guys i put through but essentially seemed the only option. The mentorship aspect involves a fair bit of work on their part, they’re not making any money out of you and you’re going to be completion in the near future so can’t see many businesses jumping at the chance of helping a stranger for free.