Gas Monkey Business

[JamesSkelly]

Evening all.

I have been reading this forum for sometime now but never posted as I didn't feel the need, but now i have reached a crossroads in life and am looking for a bit of advice.

For the last 10 years I have been working as a plumber, mainly carrying out lead work and installing domestic heating systems. I would say I have been pretty successful in these areas, taking home a good wage a carrying out good jobs.

However the last year or so has really dragged for me. I think a change is in order and i would like to move into servicing/repair.

I have done a little of this kind of work, but by no means could I go out and be confident going to jobs without A LOT of help and a little luck!

I was wondering how you clever boiler guys got to where you are today? Did you all do gas apprenticeships or did you just pick it up as you went along?

At the moment my plan is to try and get in with BG and make the most of what seems to be the best training available. Was really just looking for an objective opinion!

Cheers

 

[gas_man_gaz]

if ya got all the appropriate qualifications apply to become a sfl for bg (all they do is servicing) ya cud do that for a year or two which would get ya familiar with the boilers/systems in your area. then ya could apply to step up2 a repair/service engineer, bg will give ya all the training and send ya out with a experienced engineer to help ya pick things up plus there loads of people/resources to call on if ya struggling wen ya work for a big company such as bg

 

[Deleted member 105431]

how about applying for a job with one of the big boiler maufacturers? You'd get trained, have the spares and won't have to sell customers things they don't need or want. No shifts or callout and job & finish instead of set hours?

 

[gas_man_gaz]

ooo havin a lil dig at bg, theres no shifts or callouts on sfl and ya dont have to sell customers "things they don't need or want".. ya jus have to adv the customer if parts arnt available the eff of the sys and carbon monoxide alarms all of which i agree with..

 

[ollski]

ooo havin a lil dig at bg, theres no shifts or callouts on sfl and ya dont have to sell customers "things they don't need or want".. ya jus have to adv the customer if parts arnt available the eff of the sys and carbon monoxide alarms all of which i agree with..

spectfulli, altho I m strugglin slightly 2 understand......u do hv 2

 

[gas_man_gaz]

sorry i am trying, cant help typing like it!!!

 

[Deleted member 105431]

ooo havin a lil dig at bg, theres no shifts or callouts on sfl and ya dont have to sell customers "things they don't need or want".. ya jus have to adv the customer if parts arnt available the eff of the sys and carbon monoxide alarms all of which i agree with..

so in other words SELL SELL SELL. Sfl are a micky mouse organisation, how can u service something your not skilled on? If they find a problem they have to call a REAL engineer. Don't forget to sell plumbing cover, electrical cover, drainage cover, white goods cover, security alarms, powerflushes etc etc etc

 

[Deleted member 105431]

Evening all.

At the moment my plan is to try and get in with BG and make the most of what seems to be the best training available.
Cheers

Best training available? A 6mth course on the use of a telegan and how to sell overpriced tat? Not what I'd call the best.

 

[ollski]

Evening all.

At the moment my plan is to try and get in with BG and make the most of what seems to be the best training available.
Cheers

Best training available? A 6mth course on the use of a telegan and how to sell overpriced tat? Not what I'd call the best.

Haven't just had the bullet have you dm?

Who else gives you training, mentoring, buddying district portfolio opprtunities whilst paying your wages, providing all your tools, holidays, sick pay, van, acs assesments and accomodation with a further opportunity to upgrade to breakdowns, lpg acs, additional cats. etc.................oh and a free telegan!

Yes things are pretty shiit atm but making profits is what distinguishes it as a business.

As far as the training goes you get out what you put in

 

[Deleted member 105431]

Haven't just had the bullet have you dm? NO.

Who else gives you training, mentoring, buddying district portfolio opprtunities whilst paying your wages, providing all your tools, holidays, sick pay, van, acs assesments and accomodation with a further opportunity to upgrade to breakdowns, lpg acs, additional cats. etc.................oh and a free telegan! Countless companies actually.

Yes things are pretty s**t atm. I agree
As far as the training goes you get out what you put in[/quote]

 

[ollski]

Countless companies actually.

eg?

 

[Deleted member 105431]

Actually I left and got a better job thank you.

 

[Deleted member 105431]

Countless companies actually.

eg?

boiler manufacturers, eon. . . .

A free telegan? wow! That's like giving a mechanic a free spanner that they can only use at work in the garage they work for. (great perk)

 

[Deleted member 105431]

with a further opportunity to upgrade to breakdowns,


you mean an opportunity to become a PROPER engineer?

 

[ollski]

Countless companies actually.

eg?

boiler manufacturers, eon. . . .

A free telegan? wow! That's like giving a mechanic a free spanner that they can only use at work in the garage they work for. (great perk)

lol even I can count them but do the manufacturers run apprenticeships and general ccn1 + 5 acs courses? (I don't know). I'm sure eon are cushty at the moment as they try to build a reputation and erode the bg customer base but seeing as they are copying the business model of bg and even using old bg training centres with the same staff within 12 months there will be no difference between bg and eon.

Guy in hrpc got his fga back from calibration the other day with a 460 quid price tag on it......would have paid for my holiday!