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| Leap forward for Channel Islands registration scheme |
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| Date:
02/03/04 |
Author:
Keith Needham |
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CORGI has launched a voluntary gas registration scheme in the Channel Islands, at the request of the Health and Safety bodies, on both Guernsey and Jersey. Although piped natural gas is not available on the islands, gas is a well-used fuel source and there is an established installer network. The intention is to create a register of competent gas installers to offer homeowners reassurance as to the abilities of installers and to promote the gas industry as professional and skilled in their eyes.
Installers on the islands possess ACoP qualifications but, as there is no facility to offer ACS training or assessment there, this qualification is not widely held. Therefore, CORGI registration on Jersey or Guernsey is unique to the Channel Islands, as different gas supplies and measures require different techniques to manage safety. This means that installers registered to work in the Channel Islands are not able to work in the UK. The launches on both islands took the same format of an evening presentation followed by extended Q&A sessions, backed up by an installer surgery the next morning to allow installers who had detailed questions to have a one-to-one discussion with a CORGI expert on how the scheme will benefit their business or any training issues. Also presenting and attending were representatives from Jersey Gas and Guernsey Gas, the training centres and, of course, the HSE.
Guernsey
Responses from invitations sent to installers were very positive but the attendance exceeded expectations by quite some mark, resulting in the largest meeting of installers on the island for quite some time. The event was very successful and allowed all attendees; installers, CORGI and the HSE to work through many issues, concerns and wishes within the industry. The feedback gained from installers during the evening will assist the development of the scheme.
Jersey
The Jersey event attracted an equally impressive turn-out of interested installers. Questions asked were similar to the points raised on Guernsey and, again, valuable feedback was received. There was a view held by installers on both islands that the scheme should quickly move to mandatory status and this is now being looked at further by CORGI, the HSE and HSI.
It is hoped that the CORGI scheme will make a real difference to the industry on both islands, as it will raise competencies to reduce the risk of gas incidents. It will also offer the public real assurance that, if they choose to employ a CORGI installer, they are using a competent, qualified person. The installers, once registered, will also then have access to the services and support offered by CORGI to its registered installers.
“We have been very pleased and encouraged by the initial response of installers – which has been demonstrated by the number of requests we’ve received for application packs,” said Channel Islands Registration Manager, Keith Needham.
Installers who are interested should contact Keith Needham on 0870 401 2419 for further information.
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