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Course overview

Our central heating course is the UK’s most comprehensive and in-depth central heating course for adults aged 18 or over with no upper age limit.

We go the extra mile for all our students, ensuring that they’re not only fully qualified but the most employable as well. Our expert learning and development team have identified skill shortages within the industry through their years of experience. We have incorporated this knowledge into our training syllabus making you a valuable asset for employers.

With a blend of classroom and workshop-based learning, we believe that ‘hands-on’ learning is essential to train for a career in the gas industry.

Qualification Overview

  • CCN1 – Core Domestic Gas Safety (Natural Gas)
  • CPA1 – Combustion Performance Analysis
  • CENWAT – Domestic Gas Central Heating Boilers & Water Heaters
  • CKR1 – Domestic Gas Cookers
  • HTR1 – Domestic Gas Fires & Wall Heaters
  • Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems – Installation, servicing and maintenance of unvented hot water systems from 15 to 500 litres.
  • WRAS Waterbyelaws
  • Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps – Install, Service and Maintain Air Source Heat Pump Systems
  • System Design and Fault Finding – Our own system design and fault-finding course aimed at giving you a better understanding of how to repair central heating systems and boilers.
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Some of the employers from this course

hydrogen gas boiler
air source heat pump

What does the future hold for Central Heating?

The future for central heating engineers is extremely exciting and lucrative. The UK Government has committed to green alternatives to replace natural gas heating which is certain to create a vast amount of work in our industry.

The two primary technologies for reducing emissions to zero by 2050 are Air Source Heat Pumps and Hydrogen Gas boilers.

In the run up to net zero 2050, we’re going to see a transformation in the way we heat our homes. The challenge is sizable – over 20,000 homes every week will need to switch to a low-carbon heat source between 2025 and 2050. – National Grid

According to studies, installations of air source heat pumps must soar to as many as 600,000 per year by 2028 and an estimated 69,500 installers will be needed by 2035.

Air source heat pumps, however, don’t go without their issues. They’re more suitable for new build properties that are extremely well insulated in order for them to be efficient.

This paves way for hydrogen boilers, which are expected to be the main fuel source for heating by 2035. You can view the hydrogen timeline here.

According to the hydrogen competency framework report, the qualifications to work on hydrogen are only open to gas engineers to train in, due to similarities between natural gas and hydrogen gas. Natural gas engineers can upskill in only 25 hours (3-days).

A booming, UK-wide hydrogen economy could be worth £900 million and create over 9,000 high-quality jobs by 2030, potentially rising to 100,000 jobs and worth up to £13 billion by 2050. – UK Government

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Gas pipework training

Why you should train as a Central Heating Engineer

Many people who decide to retrain as a heating engineer later in life do so because of the attractive benefits it offers, especially the high starting salary and the fact that this is a job where there is always work.

This high demand – a result of the current trades skills shortage – means that there is plenty of opportunity for ambitious people. You may want to join a company for the security of a guaranteed paycheque and prospects of promotion as your skillset and experience increase, or you may choose to start your own business and pick and choose your jobs.

On top of these obvious benefits in a climate of economic and job insecurity, the hands-on nature of a heating engineer’s job means that heating engineers enjoy a more varied workday. This daily variation can be especially attractive to those who are tired of the nine-to-five grind of office work.

Salary

Depending on your experience level and area of expertise, typical salaries in the area range from £30,000 to up to £50,000 a year. By running your own business, these figures often increase dramatically.

Job Security

Because of the many regulations that require people to hire registered ‘Gas Safe’ engineers, your skills will always be in demand, which means you can count a range of career prospects and opportunities. As you gain experience, your career will grow, allowing it to be so much more than just a job - it’s a lifetime career.

Flexible Schedule

Unlike other professions, you’ll be able to manage your own time - and you’ll never be tied to an office chair. Each day will be different, and you’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to scheduling appointments and taking jobs, especially when you own your own business.

Day-to-Day Challenges

Working as a heating engineer is extremely rewarding. Every day you will be challenged and tested, relying on your manual skills, prolixity, patience, and communication in order to solve problems and succeed. Although not easy, you’ll never be bored while on the job.

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Your 4 Step Accredited Career Path to Becoming a Qualified Central Heating Engineer

Your route to becoming a qualified central heating engineer follows the 4 steps below.

In-Centre Training

Complete Skills Training Group's award-winning in-centre training which includes theory & practical training, giving you the necessary skills & experience to get you job-ready.

Guaranteed Work Placement

Attend a guaranteed work placement with a Gas Safe Employer and complete your portfolio of work - a mandatory requirement for new entrants.

ACS Assessment

Pass your ACS Assessments giving you the qualifications to work under the Gas Safe Register which is the regulatory body for gas engineers.

Employment

You are now ready to start applying for jobs within the gas industry or start your own gas engineering company.

training on gas fires during gas engineer course
gas boiler training theory on a whiteboard

What to expect on the course

Skills Training Group’s 29-week central heating engineer course focuses on high quality, employer-led training targeted on making you employable. Our training curriculum is designed to not only teach you the requirements to pass your course, but also to be competent enough to confidently use your new skills.

Our workshops are well equipped with all the latest technology, but also with older appliances that you will come across in the workplace. To date, we’ve invested over £250,000 to create the best possible training facilities, incorporating real-life practical scenarios to prepare you for the workplace.

Furthermore, all of our expert training staff are fully qualified industry experts with a minimum of 15 years of experience working with some of the UK’s most accomplished central heating engineering employers.

student being trained on gas boiler fault finding

What are your career prospects at the end of this course

Once qualified you could:

  • Install, service and repair gas central heating boilers, water heaters, fires, cookers and meters.
  • Install, service and repair air source heat pumps
  • Work for central heating companies, insurance companies, housing associations and much more.
  • Complete Landlord Gas Safety Certificates & annual boiler servicing.
  • Complete maintenance work for letting agents.
  • Provide central heating cover plans.
  • Apply to work as a subcontractor for British Gas, Boxt, Corgi Homeplan and many other companies.
  • Provide out of hours emergency call-outs at premium rates.
Scottish Power Logo
Richard Irvin Logo
Morrison Utility Services Logo
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Video Testimonial From iSafe Gas Director, Scott Smith

Scott Smith completed our 29-week central heating engineer course at our Paisley training centre. Scott has gone from strength to strength since completing his training, starting gas engineer company iSafe Gas. Scott shares his experience during this testimonial video.

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Michael Tonner

Video Testimonial From Matchless Gas Director, Michael Toner

I completed my adult apprenticeship here in 2014, I have had great ongoing support over the years from the team in lots of different ways, I’m now the director of my own company and off the tools completely and nearly at a point where my business runs without me. I have recommended over 10 people over the years who have also been really successful in the industry.

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Asif Ali

Video Testimonial From Asif Ali

Asif Ali completed our 29-week central heating course at our Paisley training centre. Asif has gone from strength to strength since completing his training and shares his experience during this testimonial video.

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Gallery

Some pictures of our gas safety training facilities, students and teachers.

Eddie Murphy review
British Gas engineers during their gas training course
Gas pipework training
a student being taught on our plumbing course training rig
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student being trained on gas boiler fault finding
our training teaching a student on an oftec oil course
Combi Boilers
System Boiler
inspection and testing course
Students who have passed their training and are displaying their certificates

Our facilities

As the leading heating and utilities training provider in Scotland, we operate state-of-the-art training facilities in both Paisley and Dalgety Bay, Fife.

Combi Boilers

Purpose built workshops

Our purpose-built workshops are designed for both novice and experienced learners with a large variety of appliance types and models.

Spacious Classrooms

Our classrooms are bright and spacious utilising technology to enhance your training experience.

All tools provided

Our centres are kitted out with all the tools you require to complete your practical training.

£250,000 training facilities

We have invested heavily in creating the best possible training facilities, incorporating real-life practical scenarios to prepare you for the workplace.

On site parking

On site parking is available at all of our centres and most of our satellite training centres.

Easy public transport access

Our training centres are easy to travel to & accommodation is readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is your course Accredited?

Yes, our course is accredited by LCL Awards.

LCL Awards is one of the Building Services Engineering (BSE) sectors' foremost certification bodies, offering qualifications via a network of approximately 200 approved centres located nationwide.

Am I too old to do this course?

We're often asked 'Am I too told to retrain as a central heating engineer?'. You'll be glad to hear students of all age groups are welcome on our course. With age comes life experience, maturity and reliability - all highly sought after traits from prospective employers.

Do you offer any distance learning courses?

No - We don’t believe that you can be trained sufficiently on a self-learning or self-study course within the heating industry because there will be many topics that are too complex to pick up from simply reading a book. There is also a huge amount of practical training required to become a central heating engineer, which is not available doing distance learning.

Am I eligible to join the Gas Safe Register after successfully completing the course?

After you have passed your assessments you will be eligible to join the Gas Safe Register and hold the mandatory qualifications to work within the domestic central heating industry.

How much does it cost to join the Gas Safe Register?

If you are working for an employer, they will pay this for you. If you start your own company this initial cost will be around £400 and requires to be renewed every year for approximately £120.

Will I gain any hands-on experience during this course?

Of course. Our central heating course is one of the longest courses available for new entrants. This gives us plenty of time to spend in our practical workshop concentrating on skills that are going to make you employable. You will also spend 18 weeks with a Gas Safe Registered company where you will build up a portfolio of work which is a mandatory requirement before you can be assessed.

Am I guaranteed a job?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee you a job. Just like a university degree, there is no guarantee of employment after completing your training, however, by completing your training with us you will have an advantage over other students entering the industry due to our reputation in this sector.

What is the industry standard salary for a central heating engineer?

The industry-standard salary for a central heating engineer ranges between £27,000-£35,000. If you include overtime & standby allowance, it is not uncommon for an engineer to earn well over £45,000 per year. This, however, can be significantly higher if they decide to work as a self-employed central heating engineer. Please, read more here.

Do you think I would be able to go self-employed right away?

Many of our students have gone self-employed. It would be much easier if you already come from a technical background as naturally you will pick things up much quicker. If you aren’t from a technical background, you can still go self-employed but we would recommend working with an employer for at least 6 months first to build up your experience.

Do I need to buy anything?

We will supply you with all your PPE, Workwear and tools while in the centre. When on placement you will share your engineer’s tools, however, once you gain employment an employer will expect you to have your own basic tool kit which could cost around £200.

How do I book?

Call one of our customer service team on 0808 164 2780 and they will walk you through the booking process.

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Download your free course information pack today and find out how you can become a fully qualified gas safe engineer.

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