MCS Accreditation

[ecowarm]

I think there is more money to be made offering training courses than actually being MCS certified

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i had thoughts along similar lines eco.

 

[plumbster3456]

Hi Guys,

The MCS Inspection itself is split between Installations, Competency and Paperwork. The installation needs to be up to the MCS Standards, and the installer needs to be able to prove they are competent to install the equipment. With regards to the paperwork, the paperwork brings the installer into line in terms of functioning to MCS Standards and maintaining a minimum level of quality in the processes they work to. This not only protects the consumer and the government (who's funding they are distributing) but also protects the installer and allows the installer to grow to new levels as they now have the basis to grow into a more structured and successful organisation (if they aren't already). The important aspect for the paperwork is protection, the paperwork has to be followed to pass MCS any deviation wont pass, and by sticking to the paperwork involved and meeting the MCS Regulations it is near impossible to rip of "Mrs Smith" and for "Mrs Smith" to come back at the Installer.

The Quality Systems involved in the MCS Scheme are 99% of the time a structure which takes an installer to the next level and many of the installers we speak to realise how useful the systems are once they have passed.

When the MCS Inspector initially inspects you they would expect you to be competent as an Installer going off your qualifications and Installations. Once your yearly audit comes around this will be far more installation based as they will expect to see a number of installations and often send a technical inspector to perform this audit.

Any more questions feel free.

I read somewhre I think it was the gas sae mag that the paperwork takes a full day to complete is this the sort of paperwork that is required? seems a bit ott if you ask me.
I also dont think there is enough people wanting this done to merit me paying out money to get this qualification at this moment in time.

 

[plumbster3456]

I think there is more money to be made offering training courses than actually being MCS certified

Agree this is definetly the case

 

[unguided1]

Gas safe is under review at the moment and I bet that when they have finnished theyre consultations that they have got to do, they will roll somthing out something similar to this.

I know I keep bleating on but just wait until the whole industry has to go through this farce

 

[EasyMCSLtd]

Hi Everyone,

Just picking up on the idea mentioned of these "1 Day MCS Courses". Please please be aware that these courses will not help you through the MCS process itself, they will simply go through the MCS Standards and then you have to go away and do it yourself. Also bear in mind that it is £325 + a day of your time + you then have to do it yourself, if you then get it wrong you have to pay another assessment fee.

We have had countless installers approach us who have been on "MCS Seminars" which offer a one stop event and have then tried to pass the inspection and have failed miserably. I would highly recommend you speak to people who have been on the seminars before spending a great deal of money and your time on something which will then still leave you have to prepare for inspection independently.

If anyone has any queries - always happy to help.

 

[SimonG]

I can appreciate that you have had "countless" people who have approached you as they have failed miserably but there will be no data with regard to the ones that have'nt contacted you because they passed.

I'm not concerned with spending time doing the work myself as long as I know where the bar is set and what I need to get over it. At the minute I don't mind admitting that I know very little

So whats the difference in paying them money vs paying you money?

 

[EasyMCSLtd]

The reasons why you may decide not to attend an MCS Awarness course are as follows;

• Costs could be considerabley higher when you factor course and the time you could be earning + travelling etc
• You then need to factor in the time you subsequently have to spend preparing after the seminar
• The risk could also be higher as there is no preparation for the inspection and you still have to work everything out on your own this could lead to the next point
• The cost of another inspection if you fail

Some people are successful in gaining MCS on the back of seminars, but it involves a great deal more time (cost when you are working for yourself or you designate an employee) and the majority of installers prefer to have an ongoing support approach all the way to the day of inspection.

 

[SimonG]

Just had a re-read of the whole thread.
The NEF one day course is 299+vat for the "early bird" one day course. Plus a days wages, possible night in a travellodge and diesel. Then a lot of work on evenings and weekends (in other words time when not earning) to finalise QMS and prep for an audit.
Your way is £1100 - 1200 as stated to Dontknowitall in an earlier post. You say Seminar is not a requirement. As your product is bespoke to the individual business how many hours are required from the individual business for yourselves to be able to create the bespoke package?

Renewables are the way to go, especially where I am, very limited gas, solid fuel and oil are the predominant fuels. Already I have had one customer drop the oil boiler for an electric combi (not my choice). If you are correct in what you have said earlier with regard to the material costs plummetting all well and good.

But, I am a sole trader in what appears to be a very similiar position to many who contribute on here and as such the costs involved in gaining MCS accreditation play a major role in when / if you would decide to proceed. I am lucky (Business is very good at the minute and the foreseable future)to be in the position where I can invest some time and money into achieving this, hopefully by the end of the year.

However I would find it of greater benefit to myself to go down the route of the NEF course. Yes it's cheaper and the risks of a failed assessment are greater but the amount of time I will have to put into this on my own, will mean I will know the process inside out, something that I would hope would be apparent to an assessor. I would find this of greater benefit than having it handed to me on a plate and having to refer questions and queries back to yourselves.

Hope this clears up where I have been coming from.

 

[unguided1]

When I did my MCS assesment the assesor told me that I would not pass the first time I have another thread on here somwhere Mcs, so I wonder how many people have gone through MCS without having to do the assesment twice. I personally didnt bother but as stated before i am still doing sign offs and inspections in fact I am really busy over the next couple of days doing them.