MPK Associates Latest News

General News - Malpractice Investigation

Author: admin
Subject: Malpractice Investigation
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:49 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Have you been to a centre where you have been required to pay extra to pass, been allowed less time than officially, been guaranteed a pass and/or have been given the answers? If this happens, do you know that your qualifications and livelihood are at risk and your money wasted? Word soon spreads and an investigation into these practices is currently taking place.

People that have not proved their competence by following assessments properly are ticking timebombs, especially in dangerous areas such as gas.

Help us get and keep the rogues out of the industry by reporting centres and assessors to UKAS.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

General News - Resit Fees for Gas Reassessment?

Author: admin
Subject: Resit Fees for Gas Reassessment?
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:40 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

A common question that we would like to answer online:

We do not charge for any gas reassessment resits.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

Technical Help & Advice - NVQ Level 3

Author: James
Subject: NVQ Level 3
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:06 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 1

Hello,

I currently have CCN1, CEN1, HTR1, CKR1 and Energy Efficiency. Is it possible to get NVQ 3 from these?

Jamie.

General News - Retraining Funding Available

Author: admin
Subject: Retraining Funding Available
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:56 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

We have managed to secure funding for course fees for retraining for any of our plumbing, gas or electrical retraining courses.

Retraining Courses are as follows:

Plumbing & Heating Engineer: NVQ Level 3 in Plumbing Studies � Funding available up to �3,750. No employment position required.

Gas Engineer: Gas Foundation & NVQ Level 3 Equivalent : Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) for Domestic Natural Gas Safety, Central Heating Appliances, Cookers, Fires & Water Heaters with Energy Efficiency � Funding available up to �1,405. Employment required with a registered and currently qualified gas engineer.

Oil Engineer: NVQ Level 3 Equivalent : OFTEC Qualifications for Oil Fired Central Heating Appliances Installation, Commissioning and Tanks with Energy Efficiency - Funding available up to �1,405. Plumbing & Heating Engineer: NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing Studies or similar experience required. No employment required.

Electrician: NVQ Level 3 Equivalent : Essential Electrics, Domestic Electrical Installer, 17th Edition Wiring Regulations & Inspection & Testing - Funding available up to �1,405. No employment required.

Subject to circumstances and success in a no-cost skills assessment (basic numeracy, literacy, colour blindness (for some courses) and practical abilities).

Please contact us for more details as soon as possible before funding runs out.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

Technical Help & Advice - Important Safety Message � Condensing Boilers

Author: admin
Subject: Important Safety Message � Condensing Boilers
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:45 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

On 28th May 2008 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that there have been at least seven gas safety incidents over the last three years involving condensing boilers. The reasons behind the events are currently being investigated, but at the time of writing CORGI and boiler manufacturers believe that incorrectly installed flue systems and incorrectly adjusted air/gas ratio valves are linked issues.

Industry is working together with the HSE to learn more about the causal factors and any potential linkage between the incidents.

HSE advises that the risk of a boiler being involved in any incident is very small in consideration of the estimated 5 million condensing boilers currently in operation.

If you work with the installation and maintenance of condensing gas appliances, CORGI strongly recommends your business has access to relevant testing equipment and is competent in its use.

For more information, please download the following CORGI Technical Bulletins:

� TB 189 - Air gas ratio valves
� TB 200 - Room sealed flue systems in voids
� TB 211 - ACS Combustion performance analysis assessment revised)

For specific information or if you have a concern about a particular appliance, you should contact the manufacturer in the first instance.

Contact us to get up to speed with CPA1 Combustion Performance Analysis.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

General News - CORGI is to become GAS SAFE REGISTER

Author: admin
Subject: CORGI is to become GAS SAFE REGISTER
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:43 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 1

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that it has selected Capita as its preferred bidder to run the new registration scheme for gas installers from 1 April 2009. This will replace the scheme currently operated by CORGI.

The main differences between the bid from Capita and CORGI the other bidder lay in their approaches to introducing innovation to the scheme, promoting gas safety and a new brand, delivering efficiencies and the continuous improvement required.

The new scheme aims to improve gas safety, and bring enhanced benefits to gas consumers and installers across Great Britain.

You can find CORGI's take at:

http://www.trustcorgi.com/NewGasSchemeFAQs.htmx

What will this mean for the engineer? Will the name CORGI, familiar to millions of consumers as a gas standard, be kept? Is this going to cause confusion whilst trying to save money at the expense of gas safety? We'll post more as it is received.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

General News - CPA1 Special Offer - Renewing Gas Engineers

Author: admin
Subject: CPA1 Special Offer - Renewing Gas Engineers
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:56 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Take your CPA1 assessment (half day) within 20 working days of your CCN1 & Specialist Subjects renewal assessment with free training for �135 + VAT.

We can also supply a CORGI CPA1 Manual for �25.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

General News - Can Business Link Funding Help You?

Author: admin
Subject: Can Business Link Funding Help You?
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:44 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

One of our candidates has joined Business Link's New Business Starter programme and been able to secure some welcome funding for his City & Guilds 6129 Plumbing Course fees. He is working with Business Link to start up a new business and receiving advice and assistance to do this.

You can contact Business Link for further information on 0845 600 9 006 to find your local office or visit their web site by clicking on this link:

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

Technical Help & Advice - Lead training now at MPK

Author: Anonymous
Subject: Lead training now at MPK
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:57 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Would you like to learn a new skill?

MPK now offer a 1 or 2 week lead roofing course.
Interested?
Call us on 01904 692822 for more info.

General News - Above Ground Drainage Now Booking

Author: admin
Subject: Above Ground Drainage Now Booking
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:42 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

We are now taking bookings for the above course.

The course is aimed primarily at practising plumbing and heating engineers who already have a knowledge of the fundamental requirements of above ground sanitary pipework and rainwater systems. The course aims to update your knowledge to meet the requirements of current Building Regulations.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

Technical Help & Advice - Plumbing Payrises from the JIB?

Author: admin
Subject: Plumbing Payrises from the JIB?
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:09 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Plumbers working in the construction industry under JIB rates will get a 4.5% increase in rates from January next year and another 4.5% the following year.

Weekly hours before overtime will also drop from 43 to 41 in 2008 and 39 in 2009.

This should affect weekly wages by around �40 a week for the average working plumber.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

General News - CPA1 Combustion Performance Analysers Now Booking

Author: admin
Subject: CPA1 Combustion Performance Analysers Now Booking
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:10 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

We are now taking bookings for this assessment from November 2007. Contact us now to reserve your place on 01904 692822.

This is a half-day assessment and costs �135 + VAT + Certification for engineers renewing their gas with us.

We offer free Flue Gas Analyser training for those who purchase an Anton Sprint through us - ask us for pricing as we have better than merchant deals for our candidates.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk

Technical Help & Advice - Unvented Cylinder in Basement

Author: Paul_W
Subject: Unvented Cylinder in Basement
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:05 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 1

Looking at a job where the best site for a new unvented cylinder is in the basement near the boiler. Is there any way to achieve this given the Temp/Pressure safety discharge requirements?

Cheers

Paul

Technical Help & Advice - Unvented Cylinder

Author: James
Subject: Unvented Cylinder
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:42 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Unvented Cylinder Exploding.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/261949/unvented_cylinder_explodes/

General News - MPK working with Gamestation on console skills assessments

Author: admin
Subject: MPK working with Gamestation on console skills assessments
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:08 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

We are proud to announce our involvement with Gamestation to independently assess the technical skills of potential console repair technicians.
_________________
MPK Admin
enquiries@mpk.co.uk