Majority of gas installers believe they should be assessed for on going competence to ensure compliance with current standards

(16/04/2008)

The results are in for the Association of Personnel Certification Bodies’ (APCB) survey to find out gas installers’ views on the Approved Certification Scheme (ACS).

Despite some misgivings, it seems that overall the majority of recipients are happy with the general format of ACS, with 96% opting to either keep the structure unchanged or break the assessment down into bite sized chunks, taken annually as opposed to the current five year regime. This was particularly popular with employers, with 74% of the 89 that took part choosing the yearly alternative.

Recipients represented a cross section of installers, from sole traders to large employers, encompassing the domestic, commercial and LPG sectors. Questions were designed to gauge opinion of the existing structure, plus suggestions for the future.

In addition, gas installers were asked if they should be assessed for on going competence to ensure compliance with current standards – 62% agreed with this approach. The APCB is fully supportive of a move in this direction, as competence assessments, along with proper policing, are essential to achieving a safe and professional workforce.

This survey has provided an insight into the current state of opinion with regards to ACS. However, this is not the end, and any installers who have not yet contributed are encouraged to impart their views.

Richard Payne, chairman of the APCB, states: “APCB, along with the Scheme Committee, is working towards improving the ACS to meet future needs of industry. To have your say, please contact your local ACS Centre, certification body or Scheme Committee representative - now is the time to get your voice heard and help shape the future of the ACS, and gas safety competence in general.”

Moving forward, the APCB will continue to obtain further objective evidence through specific operative and employer surveys, and work closely with the new registrar to design and implement agreed changes. Once the new registrar has been appointed, the strategic development group will continue to develop and streamline the ACS.

Installers were asked to comment on the existing ACS structure, ignoring issues of cost. The four options given to them were:

1. Continue with the existing format of reassessment every five years, with training remaining optional: 49%
2. Modify the existing format to require a one day (max) per year of optional training, followed by a short assessment: 47%
3. An assessment process that monitors ‘whole job’ competence, including gas safety, health and safety, personal skills, continuing professional development (CPD) and portfolio work: 2%
4. Replace ACS entirely with an NVQ style, renewable qualification that would require onsite inspection on an ongoing basis: 2%
more…

Of the 89 employers that responded, 74% were in favour of a move to a one-day per year option. This revision to the structure would help spread the cost and down time evenly over five years, alleviating some of the issues associated with the current cyclical regime – namely that centres are fully booked for months ahead.

57% of installers felt the training they received was adequate.

Only 46% of installers knew that training was not a pre requisite of ACS; the APCB would like to reiterate that there is no requirement to undertake training prior to assessment.

APCB plans to publish the full survey results later in the year.

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