Access Training News | Trade & Training Blog

With 2016 fast approaching, now is the perfect time to consider a career change or think about learning some new skills. If you're looking for an area of industry that offers a steady stream of work and income, then why not train to become a plumber?

At Access Training, we offer a range of plumbing courses, to suit both beginners as well as experienced plumbers:

Our Essential Plumbing Course is great for people who want to learn the basics of the trade, setting a foundation on which to build a portfolio of plumbing skills in order to go on to further training.

For a combination of practical and technical plumbing knowledge, our Professional Plumbing Course will equip you with all the skills you need to become a professional plumber. By the end of the course, you will have achieved the qualifications necessary to start your career in plumbing. While this course is designed with beginners in mind, it would also suit experienced candidates looking to update their skills.

Candidates who are looking to become professional plumbers/heating engineers should consider our Premier Plumbing Course, which will allow you to also gain multiple gas and electrical qualifications, enabling you to join the Gas Safe Register and take on a wider variety of jobs.

If you're interested in enrolling on one of our courses or finding out more information, please feel free to get in touch with us today.

For regular updates about Access Training, you can follow us on Twitter.

17Dec2015

Train to Become a Plumber

Ian

Here at Access Training, we offer a large variety of electrical courses that equip each student with the skills necessary to embark on a new career as a fully qualified electrician. Our courses are developed for people who would like a new challenge and aspire to run their own businesses. But don’t take our word for it - have a look at what some of our past students had to say about their experience at Access Training:

"The training was very daunting to start with, but it all gets broken down into simple manageable tasks where I was very well supported by the tutor." - Peter Baxter

As the years go by, technology changes, and so the skills that are needed to become a fully qualified electrician are ever changing. When researching electrician courses, it's important to choose an academy that keeps up with the ever-changing electrical environment; here at Access Training, we constantly update our state-of-the-art facilities and endeavour to provide a realistic, hands-on learning experience for all of our students, so when you are working in the field, you are confident dealing with real life work.

Gethyn Hudson had this to say about his experience at Access Training:

"A well run practical week, with real life problems. It allowed me to develop the skills from week one in a practical situation. The tutor gave me the space I needed but was always on hand when required. The facilities and training staff are very good." - Gethyn Hudson

Here at Access Training, we will provide you with the knowledge, qualifications and confidence to become self-employed. Former students Richard Gates and Scott Daily were not fully satisfied with their chosen careers, so they enrolled on an electrician course provided by Access Training and they are both now trading as self-employed electricians:

"This course has led to me becoming self-employed as an electrician and has led to me expanding my family's building and roofing business." - Scott Daly

"I'm the happiest I've ever been in my working life. I like being my own boss and having control over my working week. And I'm earning three times what I was at the BBC!" - Richard Gates

If you are thinking about changing your career in 2016, our flexible courses will allow you complete your training about your current commitments, so if you have family commitments, or are currently employed you will not have to quit your job while training for your new career. No matter your situation, we will always endeavour to accommodate you.

So if you want to take the plunge and begin training to become your own boss in 2016, why not enquire about our electrician courses? Click here to view our full range of electrician courses; alternatively, you can contact us on 0800 245 7492 or e-mail info@accesstraininguk.co.uk.

16Dec2015

Electrician Courses: Testimonials from Past Students

dwadmin

Nominations are now open for Heating Installer of the Year 2016!

This is a brand new award that's been organised by Installer Magazine in partnership with Continental Underfloor. They're looking for the UK's best heating installers and engineers, and if you work in either capacity, you could be in the running!

If you'd like to be considered for the award, you'll need to visit the Heating Installer of the Year website and submit your details using the online entry form. If you'd like to nominate somebody else for the award, that's OK too - you'll need the following details to hand:

Name of the installer and their business
Gas Safe registration/MCS accreditation number (if applicable)
Their contact details
Images and details of the project they completed for you
A short testimonial from yoursefl

The deadline for entries is the 12th of February 2016. 11 regional winners will be chosen from the list of nominees; the best of those 11 will then receive the national prize at Installer2016 in May. The regions are as follows:

East of England
East Midlands
North East
North West
Northern Ireland
Scotland
South East
South West
Wales
West Midlands
Yorkshire and the Humber

If you think that your plumber/heating engineer could take home the top award, then be sure to nominate them! These tradesmen and women do great work every day throughout the UK, and their efforts deserve to be rewarded.

Of course, if you're thinking of becoming a heating installer, then that's something we at Access Training can help with. We offer a number of gas courses and plumbing courses for people of all skill levels, so whether you're an absolute beginner or an experienced candidate looking to turn your skills into industry-recognised qualifications, please get in touch today. Who knows? You could win Heating Installer of the Year in 2017!

15Dec2015

Heating Installer of the Year: Could You Be This Year's Winner?

dwadmin

Here at Access Training, we offer a variety of gas training courses that will equip you with all the skills necessary to become a qualified gas engineer. This could allow you to begin an entirely new career in 2016, providing you with a steady income and stable career for years to come.

If you're already a registered gas worker, the new year is a perfect time to update your existing qualifications in order to ensure that you are working safely and with the most up-to-date knowledge. From ACS reassessments to LPG training, we offer a range of options for gas workers who are looking to expand or refresh their skills.

If you're unsure about which of our gas training courses would suit you, this brief guide should help you to make an informed decision:

Best For Beginners

If you're a total beginner looking to learn more about gas work with a view to becoming a fully-qualified gas engineer in the future, then our Essential Gas Course is a great place to start. That said, if you're looking for a more advanced qualification, you may be more interested in our Professional Gas Course (which will equip you with everything you'll need to turn professional) or our Premier Gas Course (which includes two electrical qualifications, allowing you to work on a wider range of installations). All three of these training programmes are open to everyone, from absolute beginners to more experienced candidates who wish to brush up their skills and gain some industry-recognised qualifications.

Courses for Qualified Gas Engineers

To ensure that you are working safely, we offer ACS assessments and re-assessments for professional gas engineers, allowing you to join and remain a member of the Gas Safe Register. For engineers looking to transition from natural gas to liquid petroleum, we offer an LPG Training course which covers working with metres, installing pipework, and identifying unsafe situations.

To enquire about starting one of our accredited gas training courses in 2016, contact us today!

14Dec2015

Gas Training Courses: Kick Start Your Career in 2016!

kris

To become a professional gas engineer you will need to receive the right training to meet the gas safe registration criteria. You will not be able to trade as a professional gas engineer until you have gained all the appropriate ACS qualifications. Gaining these qualifications will ensure that you can meet the industry requirements and install and maintain gas appliances to an industry recognised, and safe manner.

If you are planning on wither changing your career or start your career as a professional gas engineer Access Training offer gas assessment packages that are specifically designed to get you through your ACS assessments, so you can get gas safety registered quickly.

To enrol on our ACS Initial Assessment you will first need to have the CPA1 qualification. Contact us for more information about the CPA1 qualification.

Once you are on the gas safety register you will need to renew your ACS qualifications every 5 years to stay on the register. With this in mind, we offer a range of re-assessment courses covering:

Core gas safety
Core gas safety + 4 appliances
Central heating boilers
Domestic cookers
Gas fires and wall heaters
Gas meters

When you get gas safety registered, or if you have been on the gas safe register for a number of years, it doesn't have to be then end of your training – we also offer a variety of courses for experienced tradespeople aimed at helping you to expand your skill set and develop you and your scope as a tradesperson.

Click here for more information on our range of Gas Engineering courses or to enquire about ACS Assessments, give us a call on 0800 345 7492.

11Dec2015

Get Gas Safe Registered

dwadmin gas

Job loss is, sadly, a very common occurrence in the United Kingdom these days. Austerity and budget cuts have put hundreds of thousands of people out of work in recent years; a This is Money article published in 2012 suggests that, between May 2010 and November 2012, almost 660,00 jobs were lost in the public sector alone, and this regrettable trend seems to be alive and well in 2015. The British steel industry, for example, has been in the headlines recently, with one report from the Guardian indicating that 1 in 6 steel workers is now "facing the axe".

However, several other news reports have proved that it is possible to bounce back from job loss and find lucrative new work elsewhere. Earlier this week, the Sunderland Echo published a story about four men who recently found themselves unemployed when the SSI steelworks in Redcar closed down; the closure came as a "devastating blow" to Chris, Richard, Nicholas and Matthew, but happily, they have since succeeded in completing a 17th Edition Wiring Regulations course and are now en route to their new careers as professional electricians.

And this is just one such story. Countless people across the UK have responded to job loss by learning a new trade, gaining industry-recognised qualifications, and starting afresh in a rewarding new role; a cliché it may be, but the assertion that 'losing your job is an opportunity' is often very true!

If you have recently lost your job - or if you are simply looking for a change - Access Training Academies can help you to start a new career as an electrician. Browse our Electrician Courses now, or contact us to learn more about the training programmes we offer.

10Dec2015

Electrician Courses Offer Life After Job Loss

Ian electrical

This year, the United Kingdom has been facing its biggest skills shortage for a generation. There are huge talent gaps across a number of professions, including bricklaying and plumbing.

The scarcity of plumbers is now having large repercussions as we enter the winter months; not only are a number of construction firms having to cancel or delay new projects, a number of private firms are finding themselves unable to cope with the increased demand for plumbing maintenance and repair this winter. The country’s shortage of plumbers (combined with the increase in sick leave that’s to be expected at this time of year) is leaving older/vulnerable people without heating and hot water for extended periods of time.

In Sunderland this week, a diabetic pensioner went for 40 hours without heating or hot water because an emergency repair team was unable to cope with demand. It is reported that they had 10 emergency plumbers that were supposed to be working over the weekend; however, seven of the ten plumbers were off because of illness. This is not an isolated case, nor is it a regional shortage. This scenario is common throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.

The current skills shortage means that people who are willing to gain the skills to become a qualified plumber are getting heavily rewarded for their work. Fully qualified plumbers can earn between £1,200 and £1,800 a week, and because of the skills shortage, there is no shortage of work available. In short: there has never been a better time to enrol on a plumbing training course and gain the qualifications needed to become a professional plumber.

We at Access Training offer a large variety of trade training courses, from plumbing courses for people who have no or limited plumbing experience through to courses designed for professional plumbers looking to refresh their knowledge or to gain extra skills.

So, no matter where you live, what your circumstances are, or what your experience level is, we are confident that we have the perfect course for you.

Click here to view our plumbing training courses.

09Dec2015

Trade Skills Shortage: Plumbers Unable to Meet Winter Demand

Ian plumbing

At Access Training, our aim is to provide individuals with the practical skills that will allow them to build upon their current abilities, or even form an entirely new career path! As with all of our new career course packages, our tiling training courses offer a range of different starting points, allowing you to ensure that the training course you attend is suitable for your requirements, ambitions, and current skill level.

Listed below are the three different tiling training options that we offer at our facilities, ranging from household skills to trade professional level:

DIY Tiling Course

This course is targeted towards people who would like to carry out tiling jobs in their own home, but lack the knowledge or experience to do so. In time, you will be able to carry out any necessary jobs without the need to call in professionals, making this a long-term investment for home improvement enthusiasts. You will learn all the basics of tiling installation, as well as gaining experience in cutting tiles and forming patterns, allowing you to experiment with the more creative aspects of the job. Thanks to the flexible nature of our tiling training, you can also target specific units to ensure that the course is meeting your personal requirements, making it as rewarding an experience as possible. For those who find themselves wanting to learn more by the end of the course, there is also an option to sit an exam, which will stand you in good stead for more advanced training in the future.

Essential Tiling Course

This tiling training course is great for beginners, and like our DIY course, it can be tailored to suit the ambitions of the learner. Although it is suitable for people with no experience whatsoever, it's probably a better choice for people who are interested in progressing to a more advanced level in the future. Once you have completed the training, we can recommend an appropriate progress route for you to follow; your further training could build upon the skills gained on this course, or it could involve learning and mastering another skill, contributing to a future career as an experienced trade professional.

Professional Tiling Course

If you have serious ambitions to turn tiling into your new career, this course will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to become a certified tiler. It's ideal for people who want to start from scratch and work their way up, but would also work well for individuals who have previous experience and wish to update their skills. Upon completion of the course, you will gain a City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma, allowing you to seek paid work and enabling you to train for an NVQ Level 2 qualification in the future.

Click here to view all of our excellent tiling training courses, or get in touch with us for more information.

08Dec2015

Tiling Training: Explore our Courses!

Ian

Joining the Gas Safe Register is a rite of passage for all trainee gas engineers, but more importantly, it's a legal requirement for anyone who wishes to carry out gas installations in the UK. Unregistered individuals who work on gas appliances are breaking the law and may be prosecuted.

One cautionary example is that of Michael Birch from St Austell in Cornwall. Earlier this week, Mr Birch was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000 after pleading guilty to breaching the Gas Safety Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

What did he do wrong?

Back in 2013, Michael Birch (who is not a Gas Safe-registered engineer) installed a gas boiler in a property in St Austell. The boiler - specifically the flue - was not installed correctly, which the homeowner noticed and reported to the Gas Safe Register. It eventually transpired that, after Mr Birch had finished installing the boiler, he had asked a registered gas engineer named Peter Hopper to 'sign off' on his work, which Mr Hopper did in spite of the unsafe state of the installation.

(Incidentally, Peter Hopper was also sentenced this week - he was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £5,000 for illegally commissioning the work.)

All of this serves as a stern reminder of how important it is to join the Gas Safe Register before commencing any gas installations of your own. Unregistered personnel risk prosecution and hefty fines, but worse still, they risk compromising people's safety. Had the homeowner in this cautionary tale failed to notice the problems with their boiler, the story's ending could have been far grimmer than a mere fine.

How do I join the Gas Safe Register?

In order to join the Gas Safe Register and legally carry out gas installation work, you will first need to complete an ACS assessment. This is included as a component of Access Training's Premier Gas Course, which is open to candidates of all levels, including absolute beginners. More experienced individuals can undergo the assessment on its own.

Click here to browse Access Training's full range of gas training courses, or contact us to discuss the options we offer.

Source: Health and Safety Executive

04Dec2015