CORGI - 58% of Consumers Still See It As An Essential Factor When Choosing Their Gas Engineer
If you are looking to repair or replace your gas boiler you want to ensure that the technician you choose is certified. Recent polling conducted prior to Gas Safety Week showed that, in spite of CORGI not being the official register of gas engineers, 58% people still consider it to be an important aspect when selecting their gas engineer.
Qualifications
Gas engineering is a lucrative field with many opportunities for specialisation and advancement. The UK is currently facing a shortage in qualified engineers, making it a perfect moment to start in the field. Training for this profession is usually completed in 26 weeks, and includes a combination of classes practical workshops, as well as on-site work placements.
The first phase of training focuses primarily on training in the classroom, with students studying the most fundamental plumbing and gas theory fundamentals. The students are also encouraged to create an account of their actual experiences. This is an important step in the process of certification, since it demonstrates their practical experience and ability to complete gas engineering tasks.
After completing the initial stage, students will be able to take their domestic ACS test. All new entrants must meet this formal requirement. After passing the ACS test, a candidate can apply to join the Gas Safe Register (previously CORGI).
After an engineer has been registered with the Gas Safe Register, they will be issued an individual identity card. The card is a photo, registration number, and expiry date. It also lists the types of gas-related work that the engineer is competent to perform. Before hiring an engineer, consumers should ask to see their ID card.
A corgi gas certified technician must be current with the most recent safety regulations, and also the latest technological advancements within the industry. This is essential to ensure that their work is up to the highest standard and safe for their customers. To keep up to date, engineers are required to complete continuing professional development (CPD) on regularly.
Many people confuse CORGI with Gas Safe. However, it is important to remember that the first was replaced in 2009 by the latter. To become a CORGI gas engineer you must complete the Gas Managed Learning Programmes assessment, complete on-site work experience with a registered engineer, and successfully complete the initial ACS assessment.
Experience
It is important to select a registered and certified gas engineer when looking for one. This means they are competent to perform the work in a safe way. Additionally, it signifies that they are held to an upper standard and have completed all of the necessary training programs. It is an excellent idea to determine if they have the experience for your job. For gas safe heating engineer , if you are planning to hire an engineer for commercial boiler installation ensure that they have the required expertise.
CORGI (the Council of Registered Gas Installers) was no longer the official government gas registration body in the year 2009. Gas Safe Register was created by Capita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services Limited which is part of the larger Capita plc Group. Despite this change, a lot of people still believe that being CORGI registered is a strong indication of quality and safety. This is evident in the fact that searches for "CORGI gas registered" on Google remain higher than those for 'gas safe registered'.
The requirements for becoming a corgi gas engineer are the completion of the LCL Awards Gas Managed Learning Programme, which provides essential theory and practical knowledge. Then comes the domestic ACS Assessment, which is a mandatory requirement for new entrants to the industry. The ACS assessment must be passed by the end of the qualification period and proof must be provided to demonstrate that you've performed legally on gas installations. This could be in the form a portfolio with signed statements from CORGI certified engineers who have supervised you in real work.
It takes a lot determination and dedication to become gas engineer. This is why not all gas engineers are qualified to complete the training and become an accredited CORGI engineer. It is worth hiring those who have completed the course for your next boiler installation, maintenance or service. Moreover, they are the best option to keep your boiler in a great working condition. This will extend the lifespan of your boiler and save you money in the end.
Verifying your ID card
CORGI registration was once a sign of reliability and competence for gas engineers. Since the past decade CORGI registration hasn't been required. Today, all gas engineers must be registered on the Gas Safe Register. Capita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services Limited is the company that runs this. It is an arm of Capita PLC, an outsourcing company. The register is the official authority for gas work in Great Britain and Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, replacing CORGI in 2009, and then replaced by the identical system in Guernsey the following year. Anyone who works with gas appliances is forbidden from doing work in the UK without being on the register.
Despite this however, the legacy of CORGI is strong. Searches for 'CORGI registered' outnumber searches for Gas Safe registered on Google. This indicates that a lot of people do not know that CORGI has been replaced by the Gas Safe Register. It is essential to make them aware.

The new gas safety registration scheme is supported by the government and offers an official confirmation of a business or individual's capability to perform certain types of gas work. The individual must have passed the necessary tests to be able to carry out the work legally and safely. It is vital that consumers know the difference and verify an engineer's credentials before hiring them to fix their gas appliances.
Gas Safe Register engineers will carry a card with their name, photo and types of work they are certified to perform. The card will also indicate the expiration dates of their qualifications. Customers should always ask for this card and make sure that it is valid prior allowing an engineer start work.
The easiest method to verify whether a person is registered is to check the Gas Safe Register website. This tool will allow you to search for a postcode and display an inventory of gas technicians in your area, along with their contact details. Gas engineers who aren't registered should never be allowed to work on your appliances. They may be working illegally and could invalidate your warranty as well as insurance for your home.
Verifying their work
CORGI or Council Of Registered Gas Installers to give it its full title was no longer the official register for UK gas engineers in 2009. The new Gas Safe Register, run by the Health and Safety Executive, was created to replace it. However many consumers haven't woken up to the fact that CORGI registration is no any longer a Government assurance of quality and competence. This confusion is due to the fact that many gas engineers continue to advertise that they are CORGI registered.
In a nationally representative study*, it was found that over half of respondents believed that CORGI registration was an official endorsement when looking for a gas technician. Many people consider this to be more important than credentials or previous work experience. It is more important than the recommendations from friends and family positive online reviews or manufacturer accreditations.
All gas workers must be registered with the Gas Safe Register in order to be able to perform any kind of work on gas appliances or installations in the UK. This is a legal requirement as per the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. All engineers who are registered receive an identity card that can be used to verify their details. The card should be presented to any person who has a consumer prior to when work commences.
To remain on the Gas Safe register, all Gas Safe registered Engineers must retake their tests every single year. This is to ensure that they remain competent and qualified to safely work on boilers and gas fireplaces. It is important to know that only Gas Safe Registered Engineers are permitted to work legally on any gas appliance.
Safety for landlords is a top priority when you have a CORGI registered engineer work on your fire or boiler. If you do not employ an engineer who is Gas Safe registered could cause serious problems such as carbon monoxide poisoning, serious gas leaks, and invalidated warranties and guarantees.