training

[cdc2412]

Hi all, new to the site today. My name is Carl and i live in Notts. My first question to whoever may be able to help is. Where could i get the training required to become an installer, dont like the word (fitter). I have been out of work for the last 10 years due to a disability and would like to work again, but for myself. I was up until 10 years ago an apprentice trained mechanic, time served 1977-1981 with Ford or for people who might remember Hangers of Nottingham.
Due to my disabilty it makes more sense to me to work for myself. I did have one car converted to gas by Professautogas and asked about training. (was happy with the install) Andrew said bring another car for conversion and you can train and be supervised on that.
So thats what i did, but the training didnt happen, i just observed , as Andrew kept coming and going as his (wife was having a baby?).
Anyway gripe over, but if someone can point me to where i could get training I can get back to work.

CHEERS (CARL)

[Tubbs]

Carl, there are a few UKLPGA approved training courses about. Its all easily findable information. basically you take a car in, convert it over the course of a few days with a bit of classroom stuff as well and walk away with a bit of paper. if you want to become UKLPGA approved then there are a few other things you need. Insurance, premesis, a ramp, gas analyser and some fire extinguishers !
They then inspect a few installs and you sit an exam and thats about it. Well other than all the financial costs involved obviously. Doesnt make you a gas converter though !

[tomas]

you can get trainings for free i the factory where they make lpg systems ,like stag,kme and others,and they will give you certificate that you are factory trained,,,,i have as well training with tinley tech in uk, long time ago,,,have paid about 300-400 pound dont remember very well,,for that money you can fly abroad and get some training and small holiday ,,,its just with what kind lpg system you wonna work..

[tommo2009]

you dont need to be trained in any system to install LPG systems. If you buy a kit from tinley tech, install it then get it inspected by them they will give you a certificate to say you are competent in the fitting of that system. You can then do the same with other suppliers. Once you have conversions coming in, you could use a cutomers car to go to another supplier, pay the fees and get certified for that system, this way you are not paying out for the full cost of the training/conversion.

[cdc2412]

Thanks to everyone for your info, have just emailed tinley tech regarding training £300.
sounds resonable.
Thanks again. CARL.

[SimonHobson]

To a certain extent it will depend on where you are and how far you want to travel. I did a course with Autogas Worldwide (now calling themselves Mint LPG) down near Newport in Wales. They do Romano and AEB front end kit, Stako tanks & Emer multivalves for the back end.

No idea what they charge these days, but back then we paid (IIRC) £1100 for two people (we actually paid an extra £100 for a third) and that included the cost of the kit - the kit would have been "somewhat more" than they'd normally have to shell out as it was a RRC and we were doing the "move the petrol tank and fit a pair of cylinders underneath" job with expensive petrol tank and cylinder cradle from Autotanks. As it was, with the prices of stuff back then, it cost us very little over and above the cost of the kit as there wasn't much competition with few people selling retail - plus we got to use their workshop instead of doing it outside.

That was 3 days. One day was the classroom stuff - theory, safety, COP 11, "things not to do" complete with rogues gallery of "broken stuff". The other two days were the install.


Doing a course like that will get you a certificate saying that you've done a course and are competent to install that suppliers brands of kit. That means you are a "competent person" in COP11 parlance - but strictly speaking only for those brands of kit.
It does mean you can (honestly) print your own certificates stating that the installation has been done to the standards required by COP11. Some insurers will accept such a certificate, some will accept it with a copy of your training certificate (that was the case with mine), many have never accepted such certificates (only accepting LPGA certificates), many insurers now won't accept any paper certificates as they now only work with the database run by UK LPG (as LPGA have rebranded themselves).

To join UKLPG means having suitable premises and equipment, and passing their acceptance assessments - plus paying the fees. Last time I looked it was in excess of £700 to join (assuming you passed the assessments first time) and that only lasts for 5 years - so you have to factor in how much work you think you will be doing to decide if that additional overhead is something you want to shell out for.