Options Skills deliver a range of gas courses to assist beginners entering the industry and engineers looking to update qualifications or upskill.
The heating and energy industry has changed more than ever in recent years. While gas remains the most common energy source in the UK, a wider range of alternatives are now available.
As the industry evolves, so does Options Skills, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of it. Delivering gas courses and renewables training, we’re helping our students to future proof their careers.
Duration: 1-3 Years / £6,750
The ACS Domestic Gas Training Course allows new entrants to become gas engineers. Through centre-led training and on-site experience, trainees gain the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to join the Gas Safe Register.
As well as this, candidates learn domestic plumbing maintenance skills and gain their Unvented Hot Water Systems (G3) qualification.
Our renewables training courses are also available as add-on options for this course.
Students of our ACS Domestic Gas Training course are also eligible to apply for twelve months of free Checkatrade membership.
Duration: 10 Days / £1,500
(Included in ACS Domestic Gas & Plumbing Training Course)
ACS Initial Assessment in the next step after completing centre-led training and portfolio assessment. Upon completion, candidates will gain their ACS qualifications and be eligible apply for Gas Safe Registration.
Experienced engineers with qualifications that have expired for 12 months or more must undertake ACS Initial assessment.
Go to: ACS Initial Assessment
Duration: Up to 5 Days / £875
ACS Renewal allows existing gas engineers to renew their ACS qualifications and remain on the Gas Safe Register.
Our trainers will assess existing gas engineers through written and practical assessments against the Domestic Suite of ACS Gas Qualifications.
Go to: ACS Renewal
Duration: 1 Day / £200
Our Energy Efficiency training course will provide candidates with a complete understanding and awareness of Part L of The Building Regulations.
Go to: Energy Efficiency
Duration: 5 Days / £995
Heat Pumps will play a vital role as the UK strives to reduce carbon emissions and achieve Net Zero targets and
qualified installers will need to come from the ranks of existing heating engineers.
Our training course covers the installation and maintenance of air source and ground source heat pumps.
Duration: 2 Days / £300
Candidates will learn the industry standards, requirements and design principles of low -temperature systems.
Go to: Low-Temperature Design
Duration: 2 Days / £300
Options Skills’ Water Regulations Training is aimed at gas and heating engineers who require knowledge of Water Regulations (1999).
Go to: Water Regulations
Duration: 1 Day / £200
Our Unvented Hot Water Systems course provides candidates with a certificate of competence as defined by the Building Regulations G3.
Go to: Unvented Hot Water Systems
Duration: 10 Days / £1,795
Our renewables training courses are available as a full package, allowing engineers to gain the required qualifications to future-proof their careers.
Go to: Renewables Package
Up to 31st December 2020 Regulated qualifications and UKAS Accredited certificates of competence issued in the UK were widely recognised by other EU member states. However, since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, individual member states that previously recognised a UK qualification may now no longer do so. Learners undertaking qualifications on the basis that it is recognised by an EU member state should in the first instance make enquiries with the relevant bodies in that Country to confirm its recognition status.
When you enrol on our ACS Domestic Gas & Plumbing Maintenance Training Course, you’ll be eligible to apply for twelve months of free Checkatrade membership.
Checkatrade is the leading tradesperson directory, with over 13 million people using them to help find a reputable tradesperson.
Allowing you to reach new customers in your local area and further afield, Checkatrade and Options Skills will help you launch your career and grow your business.
(Source: Commons Library)
As a gas engineer, you will install, service, maintain and repair gas appliances, as well as complete domestic plumbing work.
Your diary will vary from installing copper piping and connecting radiators to installing gas cookers and boilers.
You can work on a self-employed, sub-contract or employed basis, providing plenty of flexibility in your career.
Learn more about our ACS Domestic Gas Training Course.
Many gas engineers choose to upskill into the renewable sector to expand their skills and earning potential.
As well as all the jobs a gas engineer would complete, heating and renewables engineers will also work on air-source and ground-source heat pumps and low-temperature heating design.
Similarly to being a gas engineer, heating and renewables engineer can work on a self-employed, sub-contract of employed basis.
Learn more about our Renewables Package.
After gaining their qualifications and joining the gas safe register, many gas engineers choose to specialise in one specific area of the trade.
For example:
Whatever part of the gas industry an engineer may choose to specialise in, they can become an expert in your field, resulting in high earning potential.
A manager is responsible for leading their team within a company.
As well as plumbing and gas knowledge and skills, a manager needs good customer service skills, excellent organisation, and the ability to solve problems.
They will typically oversee a team’s day-to-day, ensuring they’re suitably trained and prepared for the jobs they’re completing.
Setting up a business is the goal of many people in the trades industry.
Business owners have complete control over their working days and hours, how much they charge, and generally, have a lot more flexibility in their work life.
To get started in the industry, some people prefer to begin as a plumbers’ mate before moving onto earn their official gas qualifications. Others choose the apprenticeship route.
Alternatively, there are training courses. Training courses are particularly well-suited to mature students and career changers who can dedicate themselves to training.
For example, with Options Skills, you’ll complete eight weeks in our centre before going out to work alongside a mentor. It is during this first stage that trainees will learn essential plumbing maintenance and gas skills that will underpin everything they do going forward.
Different routes suit different people, but training courses are typically encouraged as trainees can get out on-site, earn their qualifications in a quicker time and as a result, start earning sooner.
There is no definitive answer for how long gas courses take to complete, as it depends on the route you take.
Usually, an apprenticeship in the industry will take up to four or five years to complete. In contrast, our ACS Domestic Gas training course has an average duration of one to three years.
The shorter duration of training courses makes them an excellent option for those looking to get into the industry sooner. We see this often with mature learners and career changers who want to get back into work as quickly as possible.
Ultimately, how long it takes you to complete a course will depend on the course content and structure, level of qualification and whether you train on a full-time or part-time basis.
Training on a part-time basis is ideal for many trainees as it allows them to fit their course around work or family commitments.
As such, we offer part-time training options for our ACS Domestic Gas training course students.
Stage one consists of centre-led training where you’ll learn essential gas and plumbing maintenance skills. Typically, we deliver stage one in an eight-week block. However, we realise that not everyone can commit the entire two months in one go. As a result, we’re happy to tailor your training plan and split it into smaller training blocks.
When it comes to stage two of the gas course, students work on-site with a mentor. Whether you do this on a full-time or basis-time basis is down to you and your mentor. Many mentors are happy to work with trainees a few days a week or on evenings and weekends, depending on their schedule.
Working part-time will increase the duration of your training, but it’s all about finding a way into the gas industry that works best for you.
Since the late 1800s, gas engineers have played a significant role in keeping homes light, powered and warm.
And, as it is a role that comes with risks, gas safe engineers go through extensive training to start their careers and continue to hone their skills through their careers.
From ensuring our homes are heating correctly and efficiently, gas engineers also come to the rescue in emergencies.
On top of this, as the industry evolves, engineers keep up with the ever-changing technology. As homes and communities develop and grow, gas engineers are under more demand to service gas appliances across homes, update heating systems and ultimately ensure people are comfortable, warm and safe.
The heating landscape is developing quicker than ever before.
Engineers must know how to install and service a broader range of appliances than ever before. In addition to this, many are adding renewable alternatives to their skillset to future-proof their careers and offer a broader range of services to their customers.
the future of the
There is no denying that we are producing a significant volume of greenhouse gas, which we need to reduce. As a result, the industry has begun developing alternatives to gas heating.
A wide range of alternatives has been introduced, from Hydrogen-powered and electric boilers to solar panels and heat pumps. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as replacing a gas boiler with one of these. Each alternative comes with restrictions, and they aren’t suitable for every home, which means gas boilers aren’t going anywhere any time soon.
With 23 million gas boilers across the UK, gas engineers will be working for a long time to come. This is because not only do homeowners continue to replace their boilers with like-for-like appliances, but all those currently installed still require servicing and maintenance.
Gas engineering will remain a lucrative career option for at least a decade or two before we phase out gas boilers. In the meantime, many engineers are taking this opportunity to upskill in the renewables sector.
Options Skills welcomes students from all backgrounds to enrol on our gas courses, and we don’t require students to have previous experience in the trades industry.
However, if you have experience in the plumbing or gas industry, we may be able to offer accelerated training options.
Enrolling on our gas courses couldn’t be easier.
You can request a callback from our advisors by filling in our contact form, and they’ll be in touch as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can call them directly on 0800 802 1306.
They’re on hand to answer all your questions and explain our gas courses in detail. You’re also welcome to arrange a centre visit to look around and see the workshops for yourself.
