Not gas safe due to training firm

[ian clark]

I was hoping that I could get some advice. The training firm that I trusted to change my career gave me every single question and answer for my ACS test. Blueflame, gas safe and NWPHS ltd have done nothing to address this fraud. My portfolio build was never completed, all my practicals were completed in 7 hours and I was dragged through it and realised I wasn't gas safe. I got my cert off blueflame but sent it back as I didn't want to get done for man slaughter. They cancelled my cert when they realized that I wasn't as desperate as they thought I was. Anyone wanting to see ccn 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 m

 

[rpm]

Err, what sort of advice are you seeking because all I see is a statement.

 

[snowhead]

How much practical training / instruction did you receive prior to your assessment?

Is the question what do you do next?

If so, if you still want to end up Gassafe registered then you'd need to enroll on a decent training course, not a fasttrack one.

You can put someone who's never driven, into a car and teach them enough to pass a test in a week or less.
That doesn't make them a good driver, it's the experience after that does that.

 

[ian clark]

The question is, is there any governing body that would take my complaint seriously as there is a serious problem with public safety. As for tbe real course option as far as Gas safe are concerned the one I took was. It was 19 gsr s over 4 or 5 days

 

[BYP]

The question is, is there any governing body that would take my complaint seriously as there is a serious problem with public safety. As for tbe real course option as far as Gas safe are concerned the one I took was. It was 19 gsr s over 4 or 5 days

4 or 5 days? You won’t learn anything in that time. It takes years to gain experience both through training and assessment and then working in the real world.

 

[ian clark]

Apparently so, makes gas safe a bit of a joke.

 

[Last Plumber]

I understand the point you are making. I have seen people pass through who I suspected were not competent.
The testing/examination procedure needs to be a lot more in depth in my opinion and a lot more difficult. The reason it is like it is at present is down to the usual suspect I'm afraid, cash. The more they pass through and the quicker it's done the more they make. Gas Safe and the HSE could do with poking their nose in a bit further to be honest.

I know it's very boring and I have said it before many times but I think that the only way you can be competent at this job is through qualifications and experience which go hand in hand and take years to accomplish.

However, we live in a world where as long as the box is ticked, you've successfully passed the buck.

 

[chris watkins]

Apparently so, makes gas safe a bit of a joke.

Welcome to our world Ian,

All I can suggest is a letter setting out your experiences copied to the 3 main protagonists.
1. Blueflame - certification who should be checking the training & assessment centres to ensure the testing & assessments are conducted correctly.
2. Gas Safe - who through there site inspections of newly qualified probationers work should be picking up that you have not been trained correctly & going to see the training centre concerted.
3. HSE (Heath & Safety Executive) - who have the power to investigate & prosecute.

 

[ian clark]

Umm already did all 3. HSE said they would phone me back, nothing. Blueflame told the center to pay me my money back on condition I signed a confidentiality agreement in their favor. Gas safe warned blueflame. I have now officially complained to gas safe about the conduct of all 3 of them. I know I'm wasting my time but never mind already wasted a year!!

 

[chris watkins]

Gas Safe made big promises to stamp this kind of thing out by closing centres found to be acting like this.
Seems to be working a treat!!

I feel for you Ian

 

[ian clark]

Center director told me when I complained that he was Mr. Gas and was untouchable. I really thought he was just being cocky. Guess not

 

[SimonG]

Not enough people dying yet for anything to be done.

Cold, but probably not far away.

 

[chris watkins]

Unfortunately Ian you have come to realised that just like plumbing, the only true way to learn & get confident in what you have to do is to work alongside experienced engineers.

There is just no other way!!
I wish you could talk & explain this to all the other career changers coming behind you who will be wasting there money & time.

It is profoundly wrong that it is allowed to continues.

 

[rpm]

Welcome to our world Ian,

All I can suggest is a letter setting out your experiences copied to the 3 main protagonists.
1. Blueflame - certification who should be checking the training & assessment centres to ensure the testing & assessments are conducted correctly.
2. Gas Safe - who through there site inspections of newly qualified probationers work should be picking up that you have not been trained correctly & going to see the training centre concerted.
3. HSE (Heath & Safety Executive) - who have the power to investigate & prosecute.

Umm already did all 3. HSE said they would phone me back, nothing. Blueflame told the center to pay me my money back on condition I signed a confidentiality agreement in their favor. Gas safe warned blueflame. I have now officially complained to gas safe about the conduct of all 3 of them. I know I'm wasting my time but never mind already wasted a year!!

This is why I`m losing faith in today`s world. Read the first line in each post!

 

[snowhead]

condition I signed a confidentiality agreement in their favor.

So now you've gone public, Blueflame or the Centre, whichever the confidentiality agreement is with, will come after you for the money back,,

I don't think so, they'll end up having to admit why the agreement was in place.

Not a very clever idea from Blueflame.

Blue Flame Certification Ltd is a UKAS Accredited Certification Body offering certification services in the Gas, Oil, Electrical, Solid Fuel, Building Services, Renewable Technologies and Building Energy Efficiency fields.

So Blueflame operate under accreditation from UKAS.

That's your next level to complain to;
At the bottom of the list of reasons for contacting them,
I have a complaint or wish to give feedback about UKAS or one of UKAS’ accredited organisations
UKAS : Contact

And if that fails;
UKAS is a private, not for profit organisation and is appointed as the national accreditation body by Accreditation Regulations 2009 (SI No 3155/2009) and the EU Regulation (EC) 765/2008. UKAS operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government, through the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Contact; [email protected]

 

[chris watkins]

This is why I`m losing faith in today`s world.

You & me together mate.

It breaks down to those who abide/play by the rules & those that don't.

 

[rpm]

Sorry Chris I've edited it, you are right but my point was directed elsewhere.

 

[ian clark]

To all that shared their thoughts, I'd like to thank you. Killing someone because its more money that I presently earn wasn't worth it, to me. Thanks for the government address I'll weigh into them now as well. Be interesting to see how they deal with it. Again not hopeful.

 

[ian clark]

I never signed the agreement and have now made my complaint. I will endeavor to get this bad practice stopped

 

[ian clark]

Ukas got back to me apparently training is not in their remit. And so it continues

 

[Scott_D]

HVP magazine
Twitter - gas man god
If you want someone to hear your story

 

[Best]

Local MP, councillors, UK media and also try plumbing magazines.
As long as you can prove it, tell it as it is.