OLCI courses -

Info

 

Join Date: Jul 2009

Posts: 1

Hi there. Has anyone had done plumbing training courses with OLCI. I am looking at options for plumbing training. Am working in a completely different field at the moment and with financial commitments, need to continue in work while I train. Spoke to someone from OLCI who recommended level 2 (6129 and 6089) in Birmingham.
Prices seem similar to many of the training companies (circa £5k) and training is flexible but only appears to be 27 days training at the centre which does not seem very much at all (appealing but concerning at the same time).
What have people found with this training company and with fast track generally - how supportive have they been with training and in finding work (whether through employment or self employed route) at the end of the course.
Appreciate all comments I have seen so far about the fact that competence will only come with time and experience but given my financial commitments I cannot give up work to train.

All feedback gratefully received.

 

Info

 

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: Bath

Posts: 391

Hi vman

I have been doing 6129 level 2 city & guilds with olci at bristol.The tutors are really knowledgeable and friendly and happy to run over things if you don't understand them.
I paid £5621 back in August last year.That included 6129 and 6089 plus Part P five day electrical qualification.People pay all different amounts and get different things with their courses.
I have been doing it alongside my full time job(made redundant last friday).It is a really interesting and enjoyable course.
It's made up of 13 modules,5 blocks of practical training(12 days)5 blocks of practical/theory exams(16 days) and 1 final theory exam(gola) I take my final exam Tuesday.
I did a lot of research into course providers and found this to be the best option for ME.It may not be the best for you.
The only negative I can find with olci is the clerical side up in London,absolute waste of space.
Good Luck in whatever option you choose.
Let me know if you need anymore info

 

Info

 

Join Date: Apr 2009

Posts: 12

If you have no plumbing experience and do not have someone to ask for help avoid it, alot of students paid £5621 and have gone to do other things not carried on with plumbing, because olci do not get you with companies like they say. You have to pass the C&G6129 technical then C&G6089 nvq you are only fully a qualified plumber after completing the 6089 nvq. The 6129 consists of:

1. copper pipework 3 days workshop+ 4 day assessments with 3 exams
2. bathroom 3 days wkshp + 3 day assess w/ 3 exams
3. airing cupboard 1 day wkshp + 2 day assess w/ 1 exam
4. steel pipework 3 days wkshp + 3 day assess 3 exams
5. sheet lead 3 days wkshp + 3 day assess 2 exams
plus 1 more exam after passing all the others
12 days workshops, 15 days assessments, 13 exams plus 12 home based before you attend.

The Nvq 6089 consists of 2 bathroom installations with hot and cold or a central heating system with a minimum number of radiators or waste systems. decommision hot and cold if you did the bathrooms. 5 maintainence tasks. 2 preparatory tasks e.g drilling and chasing. 7 safety tasks: e.g. on ladders and steps, use of personal protective equipment, first aid, fire fighting.

Fast track courses don't give you the experience, if you are young enough try a JTL apprenticeship, possibly.
Most people have problems with the office trying to get things sorted out, I hhad a voucher to use for £50 from October I have only just received it now (July) after constant fighting. Not very professional.

If you go for level 3 it is a nightmare trying to get the experience with a gas engineer most do not want to help, even working for free and offering them to be paid to carry out a gas service and an oil service. You have to do 4 installations on boilers, cookers and fires and 4 services on the same plus a water heater total of 25 appliances.

Hope this helps

 

Info

 

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 755

ime at met uk and need 6 boiler installs/6 services/6 breakdowns/6landlord certs so 24 jobs just for cen1
cookers is 6 installs/6 landlord certs

 

Info

 

Join Date: Jul 2009

Posts: 6

OLCI
i wasted over 5narf grand on these idiots, the work shops are very good although basic the main problem is communication between head office and workshop also head office and trainee.
They send you loads of paper work that is very good and informative although if you have any problems or questions they fob you off and tell you to ask at the workshop or call another number that is always an answer machine.
I SO WOULD NOT RECOMEND THIS COMPANY
shop around if this is the only route available to you there are many companys offering a simerlar servise. Talk to other plumbers BUT do not sign up for anything untill you have sorted finance. OLCI say they can do it for you BUT there are dozens of govenment grants available that will work out far far cheaper i found to my cost although as daft as sounds you have to sort out the grant B4 enroling and the people organising the grants will point you in the right direction for a good course to enrol on.

 

Info

 

Join Date: Jul 2009

Posts: 2

Hi Vman. I agree with a lot of what Helpsy said. I’m most of the way through my 6129 training with OLCI in Cardiff and it’s all gone really well. Got a good quality course and the practical bits have all been excellent – helpful tutors, good kit in the centres. I looked around a quite a few other places before I started and OLCI seemed the best of the bunch to be honest, pretty good price and the centre was close to me as well. Been lucky enough to be getting a bit of experience on the side at the same time with a mate of mine which has helped with practising what I’m learning but the amount of time you have learning the practical at the workshops seems like more than enough to me. Dealing with their job service at the moment and they really seem to know what they’re doing. Heard good things from guys further along the course about it as well so hoping they’ll find me something. I’d definitely recommend, let us know how it goes.

 

Info

 

Join Date: Apr 2009

Posts: 12

TOTALLY AGREE I sent a cv by email was told to add a few lines as to what I had done in assessments/workshops sent it and it got lost, they say they work wit 100 companies but I have heard nothing so I am struggling to get my gas portfolio completed. I had a meeting booked in and the staff member failed to show up.
You have to fight for everything, save yourself the heartache, go elsewhere.

 

Info

 

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: West Midlands

Posts: 23

Vman
What area you in ? maybe someone could recommend a course in your location.

 

Info

 

Join Date: Sep 2009

Posts: 7

Hi just read you post about you having trouble getting the gas practical signed off. Ihave finished all the work with OLCI and need to get the practical signed off have sent loads of CV out can't find anyone willing to take me on.How are you getting on or have you given up!

 

Info

 

Join Date: Apr 2009

Posts: 12

If you don't have plumbing experience or know a gas safe engineer that will help if you want to go on to gas try to find a company that you can train with that have gas engineers in a company that is linked like a parent company and get it in writing, I have paid £9385 for level 2 and 3 6129, 6089, water regs, unvented and acs, olci (like alot of other companies) say they have companies that you can get employment and experience with, but it doesn't happen. All the adverts telling us that you can earn £70,000 that there are not enough plumbers is a joke. It is ploy by training companies to get people through their doors, then you are left with big debts, and no or very little work. Finding a gas engineer that will help give you the experience that you MUST get for your portfolio is extremely difficult.

Olci say you get part p free then you find out you have to pay EAL £264 for registration to take your exams.

There are alot of other costs involved: £2 million pound liability insurance, tools that cost hundreds of pounds (check out toolstation {cheapest} or screwfix or such like under plumbing tools, e.g. a GOOD pipe bender will cost £51 minimum, gas combustion analysers approx. £700, registration for gas safe approx £175, registration for part p certification with niceic £485 plus two installs which you have to register with building control here it costs £200 for each visit. Just some examples, but many more, they don't tell you that!!!! BE WARNED