Central Heating Engineer Course Testimonials

My experience at Skills Training Group in Paisley was so positive from start to finish.

The training centre is extremely well setup, and is a great supportive environment for learning new skills & knowledge. As well as formal tutorials and hands on practical training from terrific experienced trainers; They also arrange great placements for on the job practice.

If you are thinking about a career as a Domestic Gas Engineer then I thoroughly recommend Skills Training Group as an ideal place to start your career.

I successfully completed my course & passed my ACS in December, one month later I secured a position with Scottish Gas.

Thanks to all the staff and especially my trainer Jim at Skills Training Group for a brilliant experience!

What was your background prior to the course and why did you want to become a gas engineer?

What was your background prior to the course and why did you want to become a gas engineer? 

I sold cars for Arnold Clark before I started the MLP course.  During lockdown I seen Gas Vans on the road and that sparked my curiosity to become a gas engineer.

What made you choose Skills Training Group as your training provider? 

I seen the content on Skills website coupled with a guaranteed placement to get my portfolio completed.

How did you find your trainer?

Craig Souter was fantastic. Very helpful and very patient. No question was stupid.

How did you find the facilities?

The facilities were up to scratch with a lot of variability on appliances to work on.

How was your work placement?

Work placement was with British Gas, and I gained a lot of insight into how the jobs would go.

What are you doing now in the industry and was the course worthwhile?

I got a job with British Gas after I passed my ACS. Course was 100% worthwhile. Changed my life and gave me a new career.

Pre-Covid I drove a taxi at Glasgow Airport and also worked as a professional wedding photographer. Being self-employed, both businesses were impacted heavily during Covid. I was looking for stability and security for the future in a growing industry.

I knew someone who had previously completed the course and spoke highly of the centre. When I contacted the centre, Derek gave me a tour and reassured me about the apprehension and doubts I was having. There was no hard sell — Derek simply said to me, “Have a think about it.” The next time I spoke to the centre was when I was booking my course.

Jim, our trainer, was excellent — very patient and knowledgeable. He was approachable at all times, and no question was ever a stupid question. In fact, every instructor at the centre was always helpful, knowledgeable, and never too busy to help.

There is a wide range of appliances, both new and old, which allowed you to hone your skills before placement.

My placement was with British Gas, which was the perfect introduction to working within the industry. Jim, our instructor, had said, “Use this as a seven-week job interview and take as much as you can from it.” The engineer I was working with had been in the industry for 30 years and was always happy to answer any questions I had. I found the placement to be an integral part of my time at the centre and it helped me enormously to get to where I am now.

After completing and passing my ACS, Derek was a massive help in writing my CV and also supported me enormously with interview techniques. The staff in the office are always happy to help.

I am currently employed by British Gas and back at the centre completing my Newly Accredited Engineer training. I completed and passed my ACS in November 2021, and I started with British Gas in February 2022.

I can’t thank the centre and all the staff enough for the position I find myself in. It’s a great environment to learn in.

Before joining the MLP, I was working as a supervisor in a premium retailer. When the country went into lockdown at the start of the pandemic, I began exploring different options to retrain into a trade. After reading reviews and speaking with former students, I arranged a tour of the training centre. Once I saw the facilities and recognised the opportunities for growth within the energy industry, my mind was made up there and then.

After researching adult apprenticeships aimed at career changers, I found several options across the UK. However, the outstanding reviews, strong industry connections, and success stories from ex-students led me to choose Skills Training Group. Every person I spoke to who had trained there recommended it as the best route into the gas industry.

Throughout the course, I had Jim as my main trainer. He was welcoming, patient, and fully understood that many of us were coming in with little or no experience in this line of work. His focus on safety and providing clear, practical guidance gave me the confidence to leave the centre well-prepared for the next stage of my career.

The training facilities at Skills Training Group are second to none. The range of appliances available for students to work on ensures that, once out in the field, there’s very little you’ll encounter that you won’t be able to handle confidently.

I was fortunate that Derek arranged a placement for me with Scottish Gas. This experience provided me with extensive hands-on learning, working alongside highly knowledgeable engineers and putting everything I had learned at the training centre into real-world practice.

The support didn’t stop after the course finished. Derek offered invaluable help with interview preparation, CV writing, and shared practical advice on how to succeed in the industry. The ongoing support network is one of the key reasons I would recommend Skills Training Group to anyone considering this career path.

Since qualifying, I’ve been fortunate to secure two jobs within the industry, opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible without the excellent training and guidance I received. I am currently in my second week of training with Scottish Gas as a service and repair engineer. It has truly been a life-changing year for me, and I can confidently say the course was 100% worthwhile.

I can’t thank the team at Skills Training Group enough for the knowledge, support, and opportunities they’ve provided.

I spent 23 years working in the hospitality industry at various levels, from waiter to general manager. However, I had always dreamed of pursuing a technical career, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have chosen Skills Training Group in Paisley to complete the Gas Engineering Foundation Course.

The decision to train with Skills Training Group was an easy one. I often drove past the centre while working at Glasgow Airport, so it was naturally my first choice when I began exploring options. Derek took the time to clearly explain every detail of the course, which really helped confirm my decision.

The trainers at the centre were fantastic. I gained so much from their real-world experience — far more than I could have learned from books alone. The hands-on practical work was invaluable. I would like to give a special thanks to Paul, David, Glen, and Robert for their guidance and support throughout my training.

The facilities at Skills Training Group are absolutely top-class — truly world-leading. The environment they provide ensures you are well-prepared for the realities of working in the gas industry.

I was fortunate to secure a seven-week placement with Centrica, which proved to be an incredible learning experience. I worked alongside highly experienced engineers who were always happy to share their knowledge and support my development.

The support I received after the course was just as impressive. The tutors helped me prepare my CV specifically for a career as a gas engineer, and Derek provided mock interviews that gave me the confidence and preparation I needed to succeed in real interviews.

Since October 2021, I have been working as a gas engineer with Scottish Gas. Everything I learned at Skills Training Group continues to help me daily in my role. I can confidently say that the course is truly worthwhile for anyone who wants to build a career in the gas industry. I am incredibly grateful to the entire team for their training, guidance, and ongoing support.

I’d been a chef for the last 15 years, and for the past five years, I held my first Head Chef position. During that time, I often found myself thinking about a career change — mainly due to the unsocial hours and the constant struggle to find good staff.

When I started looking into Managed Learning Programme (MLP) courses, Skills Training Group stood out with the best reputation. Visiting the centre and seeing the abundance of Scottish Gas vans parked outside confirmed to me that this was a professional and well-regarded place to train.

My trainer was an ex-British Gas trainer who had also worked for Vaillant and other major boiler brands. He brought heaps of experience and engaging stories to the classroom, making the learning process enjoyable and memorable. He delivered the course in a professional and effective way — we still keep in touch now, chatting about the rugby.

The facilities were exactly what you’d expect from a top-quality training centre — clean, well-organised, and packed with a variety of appliances. One of the workshops is even called “the museum,” and while everyone jokes about it, I found it incredibly helpful to work on older appliances that you’re likely to encounter out in the field. It was especially useful to see open-flued and back boilers, which really helped reinforce the learning from the course.

The support throughout the course was excellent. Lauren from the admin team was always on hand to help with things like sourcing uniforms and answering questions about payments. I genuinely felt that the centre valued feedback, which was confirmed when I returned recently with my new role at Scottish Gas — I could see firsthand that the issues raised during my training had been addressed. It’s clear they take student input seriously and are committed to continuous improvement.

After completing my MLP course, I successfully secured a position with Scottish Gas. It definitely helped that many of the staff at Scottish Gas are ex-Gas Board and recognise the quality of training provided at Skills. I’m currently finishing my training with my new employer before heading out into the field.

It’s been a quick six months and a complete life and career change for me. I’m genuinely looking forward to the opportunities ahead and am thankful for the doors that Skills Training Group has opened.

I graduated in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science from Edinburgh University. During my studies, I worked for the University as a teaching assistant and business analyst. Shortly after leaving academia, I worked in the construction sector as a quantity surveyor — this was when I realised I wanted to pursue a career in gas engineering.

The Managed Learning Programme (MLP) provided by Skills Training Group was the perfect fit, offering a clear route to becoming a fully qualified gas engineer within six months, along with practical experience. One of the standout aspects of the course is the placement opportunity with leading companies such as British Gas, which provides a genuine insight into the industry and the chance to secure future employment.

My trainer, Craig, was incredibly helpful in helping me gain a deep understanding of how gas appliances function. With over 25 years of experience in the gas industry, Craig not only knew the trade inside out but also communicated his knowledge clearly and effectively, preparing me thoroughly for the ACS assessment.

The training facilities were excellent and well-connected to Edinburgh, where I live. We had access to all the tools and appliances needed to develop the practical skills required to become a competent gas engineer. The training centre at Dalgety Bay also had a great atmosphere, which made learning enjoyable.

I thoroughly enjoyed my work placement with Scottish Gas. Both of my mentors gave me valuable hands-on experience, allowing me to service boilers independently and taking the time to explain in detail the processes involved in boiler repairs. This real-world experience was extremely educational and helped to build my confidence.

The support after the course was fantastic. I regularly received emails from Skills Training Group with job opportunities, and they played a key role in helping me secure a position with Scottish Gas. I was also fortunate to receive a positive recommendation from my trainers, some of whom had worked for Scottish Gas themselves.

I am now employed by one of the leading companies in the gas industry and am very satisfied with the conditions of my employment. All it took was six months of dedicated training through Skills Training Group — a decision that has proven to be truly worthwhile.

Before starting the course, I worked as a personal trainer for eight years. Although I enjoyed the job, I had been longing for a career for life. At 35 years old, I felt time was running out to make that change. When Covid hit and the gym industry closed, I knew it was the right moment to take the leap and go for it.

I knew several people who had completed this course, which gave me the chance to ask plenty of questions before committing. Seeing so many great engineers come through Skills Training Group spoke volumes about the quality of the training and the opportunities it provides.

My trainer, Lee, was fantastic — always on hand to help and share a laugh with the group along the way. The course was structured really well, with the content broken down into manageable sections, making what initially seemed like a lot feel achievable and clear.

The facilities were excellent, with a great setup and a wide variety of boilers, fires, and cookers to practise on — everything needed to become a competent engineer.

My work placement was an outstanding experience. I learned so much during that time, and many of the skills I gained there I still use every day. The placement offered a brilliant insight into the daily life of a gas engineer and helped me build confidence in my abilities.

The support after the course was equally impressive. Mark McShane, Lee, and the rest of the team were always available to help with interview preparation and technical advice. Lee even took a full day out to go through things with me ahead of an interview — and I’m happy to say I was successful in landing the role.

I’m now working as a service engineer for City Technical Service. I have my own van, tools, and tablet, and spend my days servicing boilers and handling breakdowns — learning more each day, which is so important in this industry. I have a great team around me and another supportive one at Skills Training Group.

I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. The course gave me the tools, knowledge, and confidence to secure this role, and now I have a well-paid career for life — one that supports me and my family.

Really enjoyed my time in the training centre, the team I had around me where spot on and knew their stuff, its definitely not a quick fix, you need to put a lot of effort in also…nearly hitting my 3rd year in the industry and everything is starting to make sense…👍🍻🔥🔧

Great facilities and vastly experienced trainers who provided me with the knowledge and confidence to pass my ACS and secure a job with British Gas. The office staff are great as well and look after every student. An excellent training centre and definitely the place to go to if you want a successful career in the gas industry!

I did my gas tickets and training with the Skills Training Group. Fantastic support and they also helped me set up my own business after completing my course too.

Thanks very much — I will be forever grateful. Best money I have ever spent and I have made it back a hundred times in the past few years out working.
Eddie