i don't have any qualifications but have worked on construction sites and have some general building knowledge, my dad has built many a house and thinks 6 months is loads to get the knowledge and then another year experience with a company, i'm not so optomistic but it seems it's either 3 years at college or a 6 week course with some on the job work, one seems too long the other too short, but saying that i'v also worked with people on construction sites who have done the 2 year course in a trade and are labouring because they learnt nothing at college, and i can see how as i started a electrician course when i left school 4 years ago and it was amazing how little you could do in a day, very slack and everyone messed about, if you were willing to work hard i believe that course could of been done in six months, i guess if i do the gas course i'll soon find out why you need 4 years experience to do the job properly and if thats the case i'll do it, thanks for your replys