MET-UK

Lady Retrains to be Gas Engineer  

Name

Alexis Baker

Age

39

Where from?

Alex Baker was a Quality and Improvement Officer for Chesterfield Borough Council, and was responsible for the implementation of qualiity systems and procedures throughout many of CBC's departments. Alexis's most recent achievement was the introduction of a new quality system into the Chesterfield Borough Council's Building Services Department.

Course

C&G (6012/21/24) NVQ Level 2: Domestic Natural Gas Installation and Maintenance.

The NVQ Level 2 (6012/21/24) Domestic Natural Gas Installation and Maintenance course is aligned with ACS modules:

• Core Gas Safety (CCN1)
• Water Heaters (WAT1)
• Central Heating Systems (CEN1)
• Gas Leisure Products (LEI1)

Delivered over an intensive 48 week period, the training course enabled Alexis to become eligible for CORGI registration and so has been able to work safely and legally in the Gas Industry.

Why did you choose to retrain as a Gas Engineer?

I had always thought that i would like to learn a trade and now had the opportunity to do so. I thought that working as a Gas Engineer would be varied and interesting .

Did you have any trade experience?

No, though I had worked with CBC Building Services Deptertment for 6 months implementing a quality system. It is here where I really began to understand the roles and duties of a Gas Engineer - giving me the confidence to retrain.

What factors helped you decide to retrain with MET-UK?

I have known Jim and Ruth Fox of"Fox Heat"for some time. Having spoken with them about retraining, they pointed me in the direction of MET-UK and were kind enough to employ me throughout the course.

What did your work placement involve?

I completed my work placement with"Fox Heat"who employ 6 people and have been trading for 8 years. I have known the owner Jim Fox for some time, and the company specialises in all types of domestic and industrial plumbing and heating - servicing, maintenance and installations. It is a very multi-skilled company.

My typical day during placement involved working in and around Sheffield alongside Matt and Chris carrying out domestic plumbing and heating work and occasional industrial work for Outu Kumpu Steel Works.

What does a typical day involve now that you're qualified?

After qualification, I still work as part of the same team, but I have more freedom and am happy to be more productive. As a newly qualified engineer it is good to still have the support of Matt and Chris as I build my experience.

Are you glad that you made the decision to retrain as a Gas Engineer?

I'm very glad that i made the decision, I wish i'd done it sooner!

Which aspects of the training course did you enjoy the most?

The main aspects I enjoyed were the practical training sessions as they were a completely new experience for me.

Is the reality of the job in line with what you expected?

Yes, there is a huge variety and a vast amount of information and knowledge to gain. No single job is exactly the same.

Were you happy with the support recieved throughout your training?

Yes. I have recieved full support of all persons I have had contact with; my tutors, classmates, colleagues at Fox Heat and all the people at MET-UK.

Would you recommend MET-UK to friend or colleague?

Yes, I would defianately recommend MET-UK to friend. I had a very good experience with MET-UK and feel the staff and my classmates gave me their full support, and made me feel very comfortable as an equal part of the group.

The placement made a big difference. Fox Heat were marvellous in the way that they dealt with me, some employers might not have supported me as well.

Matt Golland, Fox Heat Supervising Engineer said:

When Alexis first started, she was from a very"white collar"background and so was quite inexperienced and not very confident.

Now she is very good at her job and I am confident that everything I ask her to do, she can complete successfully.

I think her success is down to the training she has recieved, her dedication, and most importantly the experience gained working on site at Fox Heat. The work placement has helped Alexis to learn the"tricks of the trade".

The Domestic Gas Courses at MET-UK are a good route for people coming into the industry. Gas is quite a"focused"trade that can be taught intensively. The multi-skilled aspects of the job such as plumbing, plastering etc, can be picked up as a new engineer gains experience.