Gas Assessment and Training Centre

Located in Halifax, Viva Training Academy is a gas assessment and training centre providing a variety of gas engineering courses. From experienced engineers to new entrants into the gas industry, Viva Training Academy can help with qualifications and certification renewals.

Why Choose a Career as a Gas Engineer

Skilled professionals such as gas engineers are highly sought after in the UK. This is due to the fact that gas is the leading source of energy for the United Kingdom, and serves over 20 million gas customers. With salaries listed up to £50,000 a year, gas engineers have a promising future in the career field of gas. Below are some of the jobs an individual can expect to choose from as a gas engineer.

Installer – installs gas appliances in both domestic and commercial settings
Maintenance – maintain gas appliances
Service/Sales – servicing and sales of gas appliances
New Home or Commercial Construction – running pipework and installing appliances in new construction
Gas company – install as well as maintain gas piping and fittings
Self-employed – start a business/company

There are a variety of course available at Viva Training Academy.

Fast Track Gas Safe Course

For those wanting to become a gas engineer, Viva has a certified new entrants gas course that requires no previous experience in the gas industry. Before one can begin the gas course, the training centre will carry out a short informal assessment. This is done to make sure that the prospective candidate is a good fit for the career field. Upon completing the informal assessment the entrant will then receive a training plan and support in getting started in the course.

The amount of time to complete the course depends on the entrant’s ability to adhere to the training plan. The training centre staff and teachers are dedicated to helping their students and making sure they have all of the necessary guidance and support that they need to gain their qualifications.

It is important that entrants know that their portfolio is a very important part of gaining their certification. A total of 8 weeks will be spent working on the portfolio. It allows for the opportunity to gather evidence of the work that has been completed on the job in preparation for practical exams. To qualify, students will need to showcase their portfolio containing five of types of services, five installations and five repairs. If students do not have a placement with a registered gas safe engineer, the gas training and assessment centre will aid in helping to find one that is close to the student’s area.

Fast Track Gas Safe Course Modules

These modules will last 15 weeks with time split between the training centre and on the job training. Generally, Viva Training Academy follows the below schedule:

Part 1 – 3 weeks at the centre (M-F)
Part 2 – 4 weeks working on portfolio
Part 3 – 2 weeks at the centre (M-F)
Part 4 – 4 weeks working on portfolio
Part 5 – 1 week at the centre for revision (M-F)

Final theory and practical exams will be conducted in the last week. The course is broken down into manageable sections and includes the following:

Intro to plumbing/gas/heating theory and principles
Health and Safety
Fire safety and handling precautions
Pipework install/practical skills
Gas legislation/ Building Regulations/British Standards
APL – Approved Prior Learning Programme for Domestic Natural Gas
WRAS – Water Regulations/Hot Water Systems, Safety/Unvented hot water systems
CCN1- Core Domestic Gas Safety/ACS refresher training and assessment
CENWAT – Gas fired boilers and water heaters
Unsafe situation procedures in the industry
Tightness testing for natural gas installations(domestic)
Measuring/interpretation of gas pressures/calculation of heat inputs
Gas appliance functions/operation of gas safety controls
Principles of flueing/chimneys and combustion
Isolation of electrical installations safety
Energy Efficiency for Domestic Heating

Gas ACS Training Courses and Assessments

Gas ACS training and assessment is necessary in becoming a gas engineer, and being registered with the Gas Safety Registry. Viva Training Academy offers Gas ACS training as well as the initial assessment for engineers who have let their CCN1 lapse for more than 12 months, as well as the ACS reassessment for existing Gas Safety Registered engineers who need to renew their qualifications. It is important to note that reassessment must be done every five years in order for qualifications to remain valid.

Gas ACS Training and Initial Assessment

CCN1 – Gas Safety
CENWAT – Central Heating Boilers & Water Heaters
HTR1 – Space Heaters, including gas fires and wall heaters
CKR1 – Cookers
MET – Meters

Gas ACS training and initial assessment takes five days to complete and covers CCN1 with four appliances along with practical and theoretical training. Upon completion, the assessment will be given.

ACS Reassessment

ACS reassessment will include CCN1 plus any other appliances that an engineer currently works on. The duration of the assessment will depend on how many appliance modules will be taken, as well as any required refresher training that is needed. Generally it will take half a day per appliance for module training.

Whether initial or reassessment, Gas ACS training is done in two parts, theoretical and practical. In regards to reassessment, Viva offers optional refresher training for those that want to review the theoretical part. Refresher training is completely optional, so if an engineer wants to review they can. The theoretical section of the assessment is open book. Engineers will be able to access British Standards and the training manual. As for the practical examinations, they are completed in Viva’s ACS training bays at the training centre. The bays for practical examinations are designed and built specifically to accommodate engineers with real-life scenarios.

When arriving for the practical practical examination, all tools and materials are included. It is important to note that the ACS reassessment can be taken up to six months in advance of its expiration date. Also, engineers do not have to renew all appliances at once. Trainers at Viva Training Academy are ex-British Gas Engineers who have an abundance of knowledge and experience in the gas industry field.

At Viva Training Academy, engineers strive to provide training & assessment to students in the same way as they would like to experience it. The staff offers a friendly and supportive attitude and learning atmosphere.

Other courses offered at Viva Training Centre include:

Auditing of Gas Work
Gas Safety Management
Gas Safety Awareness
F-Gas Certification
F-Gas – Understanding Flammable Refrigerants
F- Gas – Oxy-fuel Brazing & Pipework
Heating and Oil courses
Electrical/Plumbing
LPG training
Business Building

To learn more about gas training and assessments as well as any other course, contact Viva Training Academy and let them help you take the next step on your learning path.