Mark Krull, Director at Logic4training, highlights some of the training options available to employers in the gas industry looking to take on more staff or extend the skills of existing employees.
With employment numbers currently at record levels and government pledges to create three million more apprenticeships in the next five years, it’s a good time for employers to grow their business by developing and expanding the skills of their staff.
Building on existing employees’ knowledge helps to increase potential – not just for an employee but for the firm as a whole. Up-skilling can mean anything from the day-to-day learning of new skills, going back to college or doing a master’s degree. In-firm training opportunities will also go some way to increasing employee motivation, loyalty, staff retention, and have a positive impact on the overall productivity of a business.
Courses are more accessible too these days thanks to the internet and on-line learning options, offering greater flexibility for those needing to earn while they learn, for example. Self-paced learning modules allow users to complete tasks at a time to suit them. Many colleges and training providers are also acknowledging that some learners will find it difficult to fund additional learning and have put flexible payment options in place.
Many options
For employers operating in the gas industry, there are a number of attractive routes for up-skilling both experienced trades professionals or taking on new-comers to the industry.
Apprenticeships are a great means of businesses offering the opportunity to harness fresh talent, allowing apprentices to learn on the job, build-up relevant knowledge and skills, while earning a wage. Many providers are now putting employers in the driving seat, working with them to deliver support throughout the recruitment and funding process, ensuring the right candidates are found to meet an employers’ specific needs. We deliver a Level 3 NVQ Gas Utilisation Apprenticeship at Luton, the ideal route for family businesses looking to pass on skills and a career to the next generation.
A great deal of funding is available to support apprenticeship programmes, although you will still need to pay an apprentice’s wages. With much of the learning being done in the workplace, there will be less disruption and maximum impact.
Approved Prior Learning (APL) is also a great option for employers with candidates who already have some industry-related experience. Typical candidates would be those with transferrable skills, such as plumbers or who work under the supervision and training of a Gas Safe Registered person, but do not yet have the skills to undertake the ACS qualifications. An APL training course is an in-depth training programme covering all aspects of domestic gas safety and will assist candidates in joining the Gas Safe Register and working on gas.
Experienced workers
Experienced Trades Packages are another route. If an employee has a related qualification, such as City & Guilds 6089 Level 2 or Level 3, they may be able to undertake the ACS assessments without the need to build a portfolio of on-site work experience. There’s even options for complete new entrants – we’ve recently launched a new package for would-be gas heating installers with no experience.
So, if you have a candidate in mind that could put their practical skills to good use and move into the gas industry, there’s a variety of routes available to a rewarding career. Not only will employees feel valued, you will ultimately be helping your business to run more productively, helping you to see a positive return on your investment.
New Entrants
Logic4training’s recently launched Domestic Gas Heating Installer (DGHI) – New Entrant Package, enables new-entrants to undertake a practical route to becoming ACS/Gas Safe Registered.
The programme consists of a seven-week in-centre training programme, combining all the required knowledge and skills to becoming a Domestic Gas Heating Engineer in one digestible package. In addition, candidates will gain access to Clublogic – an online learning site providing additional learning and revision support as and when learners need it.
Logic4training can also support candidates with their portfolio should they not be able to work alongside a registered gas engineer.
