Training
www.heatingandventilating.net
IGEM chases high standards
Changes to gas training have meant the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM), which supports individuals and businesses working in the global gas industry, is now authorised to recognise the programmes that meet the highest standards. Sharon Baker-Hallam of IGEM’s journal Gas International (Gi) explains
W
hile the majority of gas training being carried out across the UK meets the high standards required, there have been
growing concerns in recent years that some programmes are not providing a sufficient depth of knowledge and experience. In response, the industry is now taking steps to
create a single, recognised route of training for new entrants to the gas industry who are seeking registration. It is hoped this new training pathway will mean any concerns over the quality of training being provided can be traced back to the training centre involved, allowing action to be taken if required.
What’s new?
Authorised by the gas industry’s Strategic Management Board (SMB), IGEM, the professional engineering institution for the global gas industry, will be auditing training programmes to the requirements set out in its guidance document IGEM/IG/1 Standards of training in gas work. We will also be authorising other organisations who have successfully completed an audit to act as fellow Recognisers of Training. IGEM Recognition of Training will be offered to new
entrants to the sector ahead of their Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) exams on the path to becoming a Registered Gas Engineer. That means we are urging training providers who offer gas-related programmes to contact us to find out how they can get their training programmes recognised. IGEM would like to speak to organisations wanting to be authorised to act as a Recogniser of Training. IGEM’s role is to manage the governance process
of recognising training programmes designed for those looking to carry out gas work under the scope of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (GS(I&U)R) 1998. Under the GS(I&U)R, anyone wishing to carry out gas work of any kind in the UK must be registered with Gas Safe Register. To be allowed on the register, new entrants must first undergo an industry- recognised training course and successfully complete an ACS assessment, to gain a certificate of
34 August 2018
The industry is taking steps to create a single, recognised route of training for new entrants to the gas industry who are seeking registration
competence for the area in which they wish to work. The GS(I&U)R states that gas work should only be undertaken “by a person who has successfully completed an industry-recognised training course followed by assessment of competence. Training that leads to assessment of competence in safe gas work should be recognised by the industry’s standards setting body”. In order to offer such an industry-recognised
programme for new entrants, training providers should now have their courses formally recognised by IGEM.
IGEM/IG/1 provides criteria and guidance to
training providers, trainee gas engineers and employers on the scope, standards and quality of training required to enable a gas engineer to achieve competence. It was prepared by a working group including representatives from the SMB, Gas Safe Register, IGEM and Energy & Utility Skills, along with other industry stakeholders.
The effects
Programmes and training providers must also comply with industry training specifications, which set out the minimum training requirements for new entrants into the gas industry, including minimum guided learning hours, the required levels of supervised practical experience and the areas in which students must demonstrate knowledge and understanding. As of October 1, assessment centres will be
required to ensure that every new entrant who sits an ACS assessment with them has first been on an industry-recognised training programme, otherwise they should refuse to allow them to sit the assessment.
Training companies should contact IGEM and fill in an application form, where they will be expected to give details about their programme and their ability to deliver training to the required standard, along with the facilities and support they offer students. They will then go through an audit process with
IGEM, first receiving initial recognition. This will allow them to advertise to potential students as delivering recognised training programmes. Once a programme is running, IGEM’s auditors will then attend, see the training in action and have the chance to speak to students and lecturers, before the training provider becomes fully recognised.
Benefits for the industry
Training providers will receive an official logo from IGEM as well as a media pack they can use to explain to the public and prospective students why they should only consider recognised training. Once the audit process is complete, the training
programme is recognised for a three-year period, though they will be audited every year to ensure their training is still up to standard. By looking for the IGEM Recognition of Training
logo, students can be assured that their training is preparing them for a career in gas work and that they will be eligible to apply to Gas Safe Register. • A list of all recognised programmes is available to the public on the Energy & Utility Skills website at
www.euskills.co.uk/about/our- industries/gas/standards-setting-body/standards-o f-training • More information on the training standards can be downloaded at the IGEM and EU Skills websites.
The new training pathway will mean any concerns over the quality of training being provided can be traced back to the training centre involved
www.heatingandventilating.net
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
