Calor Commits to Funding ACS Training

Domestic market manager, Andrea Allen, talks about the steps Calor is taking to address the skill shortage.

 “The skill shortage that is facing the gas industry is a growing issue and something in which Calor is investing a lot of resource.

“In 2002 we launched the Calor Centres of Excellence as the first step in our campaign to turn this issue around. These centres cover both the theory and practical elements of gas installations and throughout 2002 have proved a great success. Installers nation-wide are signing up for their courses with CORGI using them as a training resource.

“Following on from this, we felt that the next step was to provide installers with the much needed support that they need when facing the new ACS - the funding. As such we have launched a scheme to reward our key installers by paying for representatives from their companies to undertake the LPG central heating module assessment*. This is our way of saying thank you to those installers who have supported us over recent years and to reward them with the profit opportunities that await. At the same time we are securing the future of the skills provision for the industry.

* as a result of an extremely high level of interest in the course, spaces are limited and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

“A number of LPG courses are being offered as part of this initiative, which cover either training with assessment or assessment only depending upon installers’ needs. Obviously training isn’t mandatory for existing operatives, but installers can benefit from a refresher course or more in-depth knowledge to prepare for assessment and by doing so can enhance their reputation and expertise, maximising new business opportunities.”

The courses are scheduled to take place later in the year and to maximise the scheme’s success, numbers for each course have been limited to ensure that everyone receives the full attention that they require. The three courses funded by Calor are:

• CCLP1 CENLP1 - LPG Central Heating: Assessment only
• CCLP1 CENLP1 - LPG Central Heating: Refresher training and assessment
• CONGLP1 VESLP1 VESLP2 - LPG Changeover from Natural Gas: Refresher training and assessment.

PLEASE NOTE THESE COURSES HAVE NOW BEEN RUN

Brian McGuiness from Scunthorpe-based Sol-Gas, has already signed up for the training and explains why:

“Undertaking this LPG training will help us to ensure that all our installation projects go much smoother, right from the surveyor to the end user stage. Our additional knowledge will also have a positive impact on our customer service as well as creating further profit opportunities across this customer base, in turn benefiting the company as a whole. We spend a lot of money each year on training so having Calor foot the bill for the ACS training is a real helping hand and it is great to see their commitment to this training issue.”

Further Incentive

Installers who go on the Calor-funded ACS training can also benefit financially by automatically joining Calor’s installer incentive scheme. The scheme will earn installers £100 cash-back for every gas lead which then goes on to convert to a Calor Gas supply. In addition, installers can obtain a year-end bonus* which consists of an extra £250 for installers who have generated between five and nine successful leads, £750 for 10-19 leads and £2,000 for 20 plus leads.

PLEASE NOTE THESE COURSES HAVE NOW ENDED

*Converted domestic gas leads during 2003 will be calculated by 31 December 2003. Applies only to domestic bulk or 4 x 47kg cylinder installations.