Caj

I think all these fast track centres are interested in is the steady procession of people coming through their doors paying the £5-6K.
Sure they get you to a point where you get the 6129 etc but that is all they are after, they don't really care if you aren't brilliant at it. They know what standard is required to get to C&G standard and that's all they are bothered about.

Plumbing at the moment is not as regulated as others so you don't have to be at a set standard, sure you get assessed but I don't think they are that strict.
I've just completed my course and am hoping that what I have got will get me through a door that wouldn't have opened had I not invested the money in myself.
I've paid my money and I'm taking a chance, like all of us that haven't got a job lined up when we start the course.

Sure I could go self employed but 9 weeks of training has not given me much practical knowledge - I've only plumbed 2 bathrooms and 2 sets of radiators and a few more things in simulated situations. They don't get you to fix toilets, taps, install showers etc because C&G don't ask you too. I'm sure that this isn't just at the centre I went too and I guess you wouldn't do it at college- though I'd be happy to be proved wrong!
This is where the centres fall down on training plumbers, they are not bothered what else you can do, so long as the basic minimum is covered.

You hear that the govt is looking at regulating plumbing like other trades and hope that having worked towards the NVQ I will be ok, but they may not! I've taken the risk that if it does happened then I will be better placed then some.

These courses know there is a shortgage of places at colleges, it's all about supply/demand - there seems to be more of a move towards fast track electrics now and gas, so has the plumbing market become saturated in places - you never know.

You have to do your research, know what qualifications get you what, don't trust the salesman they will tell you what you want to hear. I joined 3 courses and then cancelled within a week of signing up because I wasn't happy at what they actually offered.

Happy researching!!