THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO TRAINING

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Logic4training© 2017. All rights reserved.

Under no circumstances should this document be sold, copied, or reproduced in any way except when you have received written permission.

The information contained with the document is given in good faith and is believed to be accurate, appropriate and reliable at the time it is given, but is provided without any warranty of accuracy, appropriateness or reliability.

The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any loss suffered from the reader’s use of the advice, recommendation, information, assistance or service, to the extent available by law.

CONTACT USTel: 0345 845 7222Email: enquiries@logic4training.co.uk

Unit 2, 1 Rowdell Road, Northolt,Middlesex, UB5 5QR

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Learning something new is a big commitment, so whether you are looking for opportunities for yourself, or someone who works for you, it’s important to make sure the training you choose is relevant and at the appropriate level.

As the UK’s leading building services training provider, we feel we are qualified to offer you some advice in this specialist guide; advice that could help you progress in your career and/or grow your business.

On the right are the Logic4training centres in Northolt (Top), Luton (Middle) and Basildon (Bottom).

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING

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WHAT’S YOUR MOTIVATION? Are you looking for a completely new career, or do you want to up-skill and add another string to your bow?

It’s an unpredictable jobs market these days so training to make yourself or your business more flexible could be really beneficial.

STARTING FROM SCRATCHIf you’re looking to take someone on to help you in your business who needs training, the options depend on the candidate’s age and experience. For example, youngsters looking to move into the trades could be well suited to an apprenticeship.

APPRENTICESHIPSApprenticeships are popular because they offer a unique blend of employment and learning, providing candidates with the practical skills to succeed, and the necessary industry qualifications – plus, there is the added incentive of a wage.

The government has re-vamped apprenticeship schemes in an effort to attract up to three million new apprentices by 2020 – a target they have set themselves. The training offered is now more relevant making apprenticeships an attractive and practical option for complete beginners, particularly those under 24 for whom funding is available. ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeships have replaced the old model to help meet the changing needs of employers. This is to try and give better training and simplify the funding system.

Apprenticeships are popular because they offer

a unique blend of employment and learning,

providing candidates with the practical skills to

succeed

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Apprentices are taken on by a company and learn on the job. It takes around two to four years to gain a qualification, depending on the level of study.

Typically, apprentices work a normal five-day week, with one day a week reserved for college – there are also block-training options.

There isn’t an age limit for an apprenticeship applicant, but in most cases, over-24s will have to fund the study themselves, however they can apply for an advanced learner loan to help cover the costs.

To find out more about advanced learner loans check out https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/how-to-apply

Most qualified trades roles, such as gas installers and electricians, require apprenticeship training to Level 3. Completing higher-level apprenticeships (Level 5-7) will lead to a qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, depending on the field of study.

Candidates for apprenticeships must hold a minimum of 4 GCSEs/Scottish Standard Grades or equivalent at grade C or above, including English, Maths and preferably Science as well as a practical subject such as Technology or Electronics.

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON TRAINING ROUTES IN THE TRADES – TAKE A LOOK AT OUR SPECIALIST GUIDES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE - WWW.LOGIC4TRAINING.CO.UK/GUIDES

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ELECTRICIAN CAREERS

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CAREERS IN GAS

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PLUMBING CAREERS

Most qualified

trades roles require

apprenticeship

training to level 3.

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ALTERNATIVES TO APPRENTICESHIPS Apprenticeships aren’t the only way into a career in the trades.

For those with some experience working alongside someone in a trade they would like to pursue, it’s worth looking at entry-level qualifications (Level 1 or 2). This route may be practical for more mature candidates. Courses can be undertaken part-time, alongside other work, usually at a local college.

Once the Level 2 is completed, candidates can move on to a relevant Level 3 Diploma, followed by an NVQ. At this stage, it is essential that the candidate is working in the industry practical on-the-job experience is key. Part time courses can be intense, so candidates must be well motivated and commit to self-study away from college. We offer new entrants courses in gas, oil and domestic electrical installations which work in a similar way. Candidates with some prior practical experience in related trades can up-skill to meet the requirements for Gas ACS, for example.

You can learn more about our new entrants courses by visiting:

www.logic4training.co.uk/courses/new-entrants/

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FURTHER TRAININGSome trades, dealing with potentially hazardous materials, stipulate regular training up-dates to ensure that workers are kept abreast of new developments and changes in legislation.

If you are a fully trained gas installer, for example, there is a legal requirement to update your ACS every five years to ensure you meet the current standards of operation. This is a necessary requirement of Gas Safe Registration and you can’t legally work without it.

Apart from the Gas Safe Register, there are other, voluntary Competent Person Schemes you can join which will enhance your professional profile.

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COMPETENT PERSON SCHEMES

Competent Person Schemes (CPS) were introduced by the UK Government to allow individuals and enterprises to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations. You may well have heard of NICEIC and NAPIT for those in the electrical and plumbing trades and STROMA, HETAS or OFTEC for those working in the renewables sector, but there are lots more.

Traditionally, applications for Building Regulations on installations and renovations were made via a building notice and work carried out was subject to approval by an independent inspector. The CPS is more flexible. It speeds up the regulation process and saves your customers the expense of the Building Control fees, normally associated with such work. To join a Competent Person Scheme, you need to be approved by one of the accreditation bodies to be accepted. They all have slight variations in their approval processes, but typically, you fill in an online application form and then an assessor will come and carry out an assessment of your work, to ensure you come up to standard.

Many of Logic4training’s courses can help you with this process. For example, our Domestic Electrical Installer course will enable you to achieve CPS Registration with NAPIT/STROMA/NICEIC/ELECSA – so will our 17th Edition Wiring Regulations training course for experienced electricians. We are here to help, so please get in touch with us if you would like more information.

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WORKING ACROSS THE TRADESAnother option is to train in other skills that will run alongside your current role. There is a big skills gap in the building services sector at the moment, which makes it a great time to think about up-skilling – either yourself, or your team. Adding another string to your bow will increase your options.

It is not just electricians that need to do electrical work. Many installers in the building services engineering sector, such as plumbers and gas installers, may need to carry out some electrical tasks – wiring in a boiler or electric shower, for example.

Logic4training’s Domestic Electrical Installer Part P Course is a practical course designed for installers who carry out some electrical work, usually as a secondary role; such as wiring in a boiler, cooker or shower.

The benefits of having extra skills are clear. Working as a gas engineer is rewarding in its own right, but being able to offer your customers a variety of skills will give you the professional edge.

If you are already a plumber, gaining gas qualifications and becoming Gas Safe Registered, means you will be able to provide a wider ranging skill-set and take on whole jobs yourself. Great for the customer; the work will be done more quickly and you will be less reliant on other people and their schedules; but also great for you - you’ll be able to keep more of the profits from the job! Being able to be flexible and adaptable in the current working climate is surely a good thing.

Other areas you might consider upskilling into include renewables. This is an exciting sector with lots of potential for growth. Many homeowners are looking for alternatives to fossil fuels to heat their homes, so training in this area could be especially lucrative.

We run a wide variety of renewables courses, www.logic4training.co.uk/courses/renewable-energy/

TRAINING IN SOFTER SKILLSFor sole traders and business owners in particular, apart from the nuts and bolts of your profession, training in softer skills could be beneficial.

Areas you could consider, include:

• Marketing

• Social media

• Employment

• Accounting

And more generally, what you need to consider when setting up a business.

We have created a range of free business guides that can help.

Visit www.logic4training.co.uk/guides

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YOUR RIGHT TO TRAINIf you work for a large organisation, requesting time off to train could be covered by the Government’s Right to Request Time to Train policy.

This policy gives staff in business with 250+ employees the right to request time off to study or train and encourages employers to invest in training their staff to realise their potential.

Employers aren’t required to offer payment during such times, but are expected to release staff from work so that they can develop their skills.

We would recommend paying staff if training is directly beneficial to a business.

Recent research showed that only around 50% of employers were aware of the legislation and that formal take-up of the right by employees was similarly low. At the time of writing (November 2017) The Government is considering ways to better promote the policy and are considering including SMEs within the scheme.

For more details or the policy visit:

www.gov.uk/training-study-work-your-rights

Do you know you have

the Right to Request

Time off to Train?

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Training is an important part of a successful

and rewarding career path and vital for those

seeking to expand by taking on a new member

of staff or investing in an existing employee.

Whatever point you’re at we recommend you

review your position annually and research all

the options available to you.

Good Luck!

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www.logic4training.co.uk

Tel: 0345 845 7222Email: enquiries@logic4training.co.uk

Northolt: Unit 2, 1 Rowdell Road, Northolt, Middlesex, UB5 5QR

Basildon: Victoria House, Hemmells, Laindon North, Basildon, Essex, SS15 6ED

Luton: Unit 2, Sundon Business Park, Dencora Way, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU3 3HP