You're a Plumber and you want to upskill...

So you’re a plumber…enjoying your job but wanting to expand your skill set so you can add other services to the plumbing jobs you already do. Plumbers are in hot demand – there’s plenty of work to go around – but if you fancy more variety to your day why not thinking enrolling on the Gas Diploma and become a gas appliance installer? 

The Gas Diploma

Rather than keeping all your eggs in one basket, this opens up a new and compatible customer base. The skills of a Gas Installer are much respected and definitely in demand.

Kiwa delivers the Gas Diploma, which is designed for people with plumbing knowledge and strong practical skills, for instance being handy with a soldering iron. The course is pitched at people who are used to being around customers – so great customer service will come naturally to you, your interpersonal skills are well developed and you are confident at managing workplace situations.

Becoming a Gas Installer is a highly respected career choice with a bright future.

Why train with us?

We provide a pretty comprehensive range of training courses and assessments for domestic and commercial gas operatives (natural gas, LPG and hydrogen). We are aware that the "classroom" isn't the most natural environment for most of our candidates, so we work hard to keep everybody at their ease to give them the best possible chance to shine. Of course, the law requires that you renew your qualification every five years and we are very pleased to welcome back many of our candidates for the third or fourth time since ACS was introduced.

We’ve been testing gas appliances and training people in those appliances since the 1980’s – we have serious knowledge and experience! We work closely with the Government and trade bodies so we have a good understanding of the industry and what’s coming up.

We’re a friendly bunch and a happy band of highly experienced and knowledgeable trainers, assessors and administrators. 

And best of all there’s always a cup of tea, a bowl of fruit and a biscuit tin available!

 

What experience do I need?

Entry onto the course is subject to an initial interview in which we will assess your suitability. We're looking for people with related experience - by the nature of their work, plumbers tend to have the most relevant skills.
Once on the course, you can choose a pathway that will lead you to specialise in the field you would like to work in, for example, boilers.

Does gas have a future?

There are suggestions that the Government will phase out gas boilers from 2025. There is no legislation in place to support this. But if this goes ahead as part of the UK’s carbon reduction programme, then natural gas boilers will be replaced by hydrogen boilers. And hydrogen will flow through the gas infrastructure in place of natural gas. The hydrogen appliances connected to the network will operate in much the same way as natural gas appliances. Training will be available to Gas Installers to top up the Gas Diploma so this qualification will be much in demand as we expect hydrogen appliances to be rolled out across the country.

Meet our Training Team
Mike Harvey

Mike Harvey heads up the team. Previously a highly experienced HETAS trainer and manager, Mike brings industry experience and a great network to the Training Team.

Andy Cambridge
 
Andy C is our long established gas assessor. Originating from Blackpool, Andy has worked with us in Cheltenham for over 30 years. He is renowned for putting people at their ease and brings out the best in our candidates.
Andy Webb

Andy W worked as a manager at British Gas for many years before we tempted him to Kiwa. He has vast experience and his training is insightful, up to the minute and highly knowledgeable.

Doug Mullinger
 
Doug Mullinger is our newest recruit. An enthusiastic and very personable ex- gas installer, Doug is passionate about sustainability and is the person to ask about our new hydrogen training courses.
Tracey Ward
 
Tracey Ward, our excellent Training Coordinator, welcomes our candidates to the Training Centre. Tracey's fantastic organisation skills keep our busy Centre running smoothly. With her roots in both British Gas and an FE College Tracey has worked with candidates at the very start of their career,  as well as having gas industry experience.
 
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How long is the training?

Candidates take on average 9 months to complete the course. Once you have passed the Gas Diploma you can take the CCN1 Domestic Gas Safety course which leads to joining the Gas Safe Register.

Contact the team

uk.training@kiwa.com

01242 662121

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Our customers say...

"I was a bored plumber. The Gas Diploma has been my passport to a new career! Apart from now having more range to my work, I'm earning more money! Thanks to Kiwa for expert, patient training."

Fred Smith - Gas & Plumbing Services