Published on 1 - September - 2009

News

Burning issue: Proactive approach to training maximises choices

Calor's bulk market manager, Laura Luty, looks at ways for contractors to maximise new opportunities as well as teaming up with suppliers who give something back.

With the difficult economic climate in the UK continuing to affect trading conditions, it has never been more important for installers to have a wide range of skills. This said, even if the recession was not a factor, it is always important for installers to maximise business potential and look for new opportunities.

Investing in LPG training is one way for natural gas installers to expand their business into rural areas and the non-mains-gas market. Becoming involved with the rural heating market can open up opportunities, particularly when considering the 1.7million homes and 600,000 businesses that are located in non-mains-gas areas. Even installers who are based in urban areas may find these customers exist just a few miles away in surrounding villages.

It is not just natural gas installers who can benefit from investing in LPG as an additional skill. Those who are trained only to work with oil can also reap the rewards of branching out into other solutions. This is particularly important as renewable technology is becoming increasingly important to homeowners and commercial customers. LPG is a more environmentally friendly option - in fact, it emits 11.75% less CO2 per kWh than heating oil (SAP).

Some installers may feel that undertaking additional qualifications will take a great deal of time. This is not true of many training courses and certainly not where LPG is concerned. It is a simple process to become LPG qualified as a natural gas installer already holding a Domestic Core Natural Gas Safety certificate will take only two days to obtain the equivalent LPG CONGLP1. Split between one day training and the second for assessment, the qualification remains valid for five years, making it a worthwhile, long-term investment.

For natural gas installers with appliance qualifications, such as boilers, water heaters and cookers, by undertaking LPG training they will become qualified to work with equivalent LPG appliances. This will cover both installing and servicing, again widening the opportunities to find work. Installers can even expand into tank installation and maintenance by taking additional short courses, covering many topics including underground pipework and electro-fusion welding. This demonstrates how training can make a world of difference to the amount of services one installer can offer to each customer.

Another important consideration is how to link up effectively with leading suppliers, as they can be the key to getting something back and potentially making extra money for work that will be done regardless. Many suppliers run incentive schemes, such as Calor's recently updated scheme. LPG installers who are registered with the scheme qualify for various benefits such as on-going cash incentives, as well as quarterly bonuses.

These rewards are based on the number of referrals provided by installers that subsequently convert to become a Calor customer. If an installer has invested in LPG training, then taking part in the incentive scheme means they can earn back the money spent on the qualification after just a few installations.

There is a general consensus that there aren't enough qualified gas engineers in the UK, especially in the LPG market, so there are opportunities for proactive installers who are willing to learn new skills. Undertaking training is investing in the future, especially as the credit crunch has highlighted the benefit of saving money by utilising renewable technologies to reduce fuel bills.

The additional driving factor, concerns for the environment, has resulted in installers needing to ensure they are equipped with the right skills to take advantage of the potential growth in the UK LPG market.