IGEM/IG/1: Standards of Training in Gas Work
Changes to Domestic Gas Training Courses
Able Skills has been delivering gas training programmes for a number of years now. We have seen ourselves provide training on behalf of CITB but for more than 5 years now, we have been delivering Bpec accredited gas training programmes and ACS. The training programmes over the years have been improved and changed regularly to meet certain standards but the most recent change seems to us to be the most important as it finally means that ALL training providers now have the same guidelines to follow and adhere to – this includes content and duration.
IGEM have recently been appointed to act as the Authoriser for Recognition of Training which includes managing the governance process of recognising training delivered by training providers. This will include the management and controls that they have to apply and checking that the content of the training and the work experience is as detailed in the relevant industry specifications.
All Training Providers who offer training for new entrants into the gas utilisation industry should comply with IGEM/IG/1, and as consequence, should be delivering training programmes to the training specification i.e. minimum guided learning hours for the scope of work being trained.
This training specification represents the minimum requirement for a new entrant into the gas industry:
Off-the-Job Training Requirements
The performance criteria and knowledge and understanding requirements for off-the-job training are structured to be consistent with the core competencies found in the ACS domestic core unit CCN1.
The performance criteria and knowledge and understanding requirements are based on that specified in CCN1 with additional criteria (other than matters of gas safety) to cover situations that may be encountered when working in the downstream gas industry.
The minimum guided learning hours assigned to each unit are detailed below.
| Guided Learning Hours | |
| Safety, Legislation and Standards | 35 |
| Gas Emergency Actions and Procedures | 14 |
| Products and Characteristics of Combustion | 28 |
| Ventilation for Domestic Gas Burning Appliances | 21 |
| Installation of Pipework and Fittings | 35 |
| Tightness Testing and Purging | 21 |
| Checking and/or Setting Meter Regulators | 14 |
| Unsafe Situations, Emergency Notices and Warning Labels | 21 |
| Operation and Positioning of Emergency Isolation Controls and Valves | 7 |
| Checking and Setting Appliance Burner Pressures and Gas Rates | 14 |
| Operation and Checking of Appliance Gas Safety Devices and Controls | 21 |
| Chimney Standards | 14 |
| Chimney Installation, Inspection and Testing | 21 |
| Re-establish Existing Gas Supply and Re-light Appliances | 14 |
| 280 |
Timings for Gas Training Courses for New Entrants:
As you can see from the table above, this equates to 7 or 8 weeks of training for New Entrants to the gas industry – dependant upon the length of a training day. These hours are reduced slightly for those individuals who are able to prove competency in some areas – this ideally relates to Plumbers who can provide recognised level 2 plumbing certification as a minimum.
All gas course training providers had been requested to register with IGEM however, it is now the Certification Body that training providers are aligned to, who need to undertake the registration. They in turn are required to audit each of their training providers to ensure that course content and delivery times are being adhered to (see table above).
Having been audited by Bpec, Able Skills has recently adjusted the duration of the courses that we offer. For new entrants without gas or plumbing backgrounds and qualifications, the course will be structured over 35 days (7 weeks) – with some additional home study elements. For those with provable plumbing backgrounds, the course will be structured over 25 days (5 weeks), again with elements of home study.
If you are looking to enrol on to a programme of learning we advise that you take care to ensure that the content of your course is going to be met in full based on the above and that the guided learning hours are met in full or very close to the recommended time. What you don’t want to risk is undertaking a programme of learning which doesn’t meet the IGEM requirements to find that you have a problem later down the line.
Following any training that you undertake, on the job work experience is mandatory.
On-the-Job Work Experience
Off-the-job training must be complemented by gaining real world experience under the supervision of a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer who will be required to provide witness testimony to the work experience entered into the candidate’s portfolio of evidence. This must include (but not be limited to) the following elements:
- Testing for tightness.
- Pipework installation.
- Checking ventilation.
- Testing safety controls.
- Inspection of flue systems.
- Testing of flue systems
- Re-establishing gas supplies and re-lighting appliances.
- Identification of appliance or pipework faults/defects.
- Working on appliances relevant to the work categories undertaken.
Once your training is complete, we will provide you with a Bpec portfolio to undertake the work experience, supported by detailed information to ensure that you are completely aware of what work you need to undertake and how you record evidence of the work and have it witnessed by your Gas Safe registered Engineer.
Able Skills are quite happy with these changes as they will improve the quality of training available across the UK and will therefore provide a much higher calibre of students.
If you are looking to become a Gas Safe Engineer, join our new programmes and get gas training. Contact us on 01322 280 202 for more information.