Corgi

[Mr. Polzek]

Hi,

My question is about the requirements for Corgi certificate

If anyone could tell me how many qestions there are, do they change at all or there is a possibility to learn them beforehand? The problem is he's English is not perfect, however he can communicate effectively with customers.

Where do I look for specified information on this matter?

The problem is, my friend is a Polish plumber. He's got all possible certificates obtained in Poland which are recognizable throughout European Union, but not here. He just want to pass the exam and get the certificate. He's currently installing gas installations in the UK for various companies, but what he lacks is this certificate only.

If anyone could come up with some useful information and possible route he may follow, that would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

[Aidan]

Have a look on the Corgi website;

CORGI for further advice.

I believe you need an ACS qualification and a portfolio of relevant work, signed by a CORGI registered technician before CORGI will consider you for membership.

I think he'd probably be a category 2 applicant for the ACS (previous relevant gas fitting qualifications and experience).

'm not sure how you'd get Polish qualifications verified; CORGI may tell you.

I've heard (it may not be correct) that qualifications valid in one EU state are equally valkid in any other state. It was part of the European labor legislation; the aim of the EU was to provide a common market for labour and goods. A German gas boiler will conform to Polish, UK, Irish, etc standards. A Polish qualified gas fitter will be qualified to work in Germany, UK, Ireland, etc., Do not expect CORGI to advise you on this. However, I think he could probably get the ACS qualification and it would be in his best interests to achieve this. It is expensive, but he will recover the costs.

CORGI have a monopoly and are a trade association; their members have a vested interest in restricting access to the lucrative gas service trade and so keeping their earnings potential high.

Most English plumbers can't speak English properly either, he'll fit in well.

[gort]

LOL, must show this to my wifes nephew ( an english plumber)!!

Dave

[Ed Sirett]

I am trying to help Czech plumber become registered. He obviously knows the trade and can use the tools. The trouble is that although his English is pretty good for a foreigner when he is faced with the manuals, standards and test questions he just can't hack it. Even the more dyslexic home grown candidates can understand the questions even if the Czech guy knows more about the subject. The matter is further complicated in that the opening chapter of most gas fitting courses are the most gobbledygookish stuff on the laws relating to the subject, written in backwards legal english.

I have asked him to work through the chapter on controls and see if he can make sense. Even then there is the problem that the text books can use relatively unusual english words.

AFAIK thee is no reciprocal agreements to recognise gas fitting qualifications with other EC countries. There are powerful vested interests who wish to keep it that way.

Gas appliances are made to different standards for different countries.

[Guy King]

The message from Ed Sirett contains these words:

Sorry, I think he has to be Polish.