Vocational Training Assistance Scheme

IoM ACS/OFTEC training update – 26/08/21

Training & accreditation update

As part of the accreditation renewal process for the UCM-based energy assessment centre to be used for ACS and OFTEC training, discussions with our new contracted training provider have identified a number of recommended revisions to the centre before the accreditation process can proceed.

Work will be ongoing to consider these, but in the meantime we regret to advise that this will result in a delay to the provision of on-island ACS/OFTEC training and assessment functions.

Additional assistance

In acknowledgement of the disruption to training and assessment continuity within the sector throughout the Covid-19 pandemic period (and also acknowledging that a further blanket extension by Gas safe Register beyond 31^st October 2021 for IoM based engineer qualifications is unlikely), DESC has agreed to provide a further contribution towards training, travel and accommodation costs for attendance at UK assessment centres for those engineers who qualifications have expired, or will expire in the forthcoming 6 months.

This additional support will include:-

• A further 30% contribution (to a total contribution rate of 60%) to cover the direct training and assessment costs of qualifications, and
• A £500 per engineer contribution towards travel and accommodation costs

Please contact the Training Services Team (training@gov.im) as part of financial assistance claims for the above additional support.

Alternative process

If attendance at a UK assessment centre is not achievable, Gas Safe Register have advised that they will consider extensions on a case by case basis on the proviso that if an extension is granted the engineer will be subject to a remote technical assessment as a minimum, which will need to result in a ‘pass’ outcome.

Gas Safe Register can be contacted by email via register@GasSafeRegister.co.uk or by telephone on 0800 408 5566 / 0800 408 5577 or at the following address: 

Gas Safe Register,
PO Box 6804,
Basingstoke,
RG24 4NB.