Name: Lary Edwards
Centre: Nottinghamshire
Years with OLCI: 1½

What did you do prior to becoming an electrical tutor?
After completing a six year apprenticeship that covered everything from a plug top to a power station, I became a qualified electrician, carrying out work on all types of electrical installations. I then progressed through to becoming an electrical manager.

What do you like most about being an electrical tutor?
Having the opportunity to pass on my experience to the students, and teaching them the proper way to install the various installations. I enjoy watching them progress through their various exams and practical workshops to achieve the level 2 and 3 qualifications. Read more »

We offer a range of courses focusing on renewable energy at selected centres. Here we take an indepth look at how they work and what you could be doing after qualifying:

Domestic Heat Pump Installer (Air & Ground Source)
Heat can be created by drawing in air from outside, or tapping into the heat that lays dormant underground. These sources can then be used to contribute to the buildings’ heating and hot water requirements.

Upon successful completion you can propose,survey, design and install domestic or small commercial heat pump installations, enlisting the manufacturers’ support where required.

Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water
The sun is an abundant source of renewable energy we can tap into, even in our often cloudy climate. Solar panels generate hot water for the home, and can make a significant contribution to domestic requirements even during winter. Read more »

Competence to use a flue gas analyser (module CPA1) is now a pre-requisite for gas engineers undertaking either the Domestic Space Heaters/Gas Fires (HTR1) or Domestic Central Heating Boilers/Water Circulators (CEN1) ACS appliance modules. The CPA1 combustion performance module is essential to gas engineers who install gas heaters, fires, boilers and water circulators.

This can be completed as part of the ACS Workshop and Assessment package at our Birmingham, Bristol, Livingston* and London Central centres, or as a standalone addition to your existing ACS gas qualifications.

On completion of this course the qualification can be added to your Gas Safe Register card.

Please note that to attend this course you must already hold an existing CCN1 qualification.

For more information or to enrol, please call us on Freephone 0800 048 3640.

* In partnership

OLCI students can receive discounts when buying from PTS, one of the UK’s largest plumbing and heating suppliers. PTS supply a comprehensive range of bathroom, heating, plumbing, renewable energy products and genuine spares through a nationwide network of over 300 branches.

For further information call PTS on 01455 551210, visit www.ptsplumbing.co.uk or text PTS or SPARES to 83332 to find your nearest branch.

We have chosen Vokèra to supply a range of high efficiency heating products to all of our gas/ACS training centres throughout the UK. Products include Vokèra’s Linea HE Combi, Compact HE Combi, Mynute HE Sealed System and Mynute VHE Open Vent, as well a range of standard efficiency boilers.

It means those taking our Become a Qualified Plumber, Become a Qualified Plumber – Advanced or Become a Gas Engineer courses have access to the latest heating technology and equipment to learn and hone their skills on.

Vokèra is a preferred supplier of PTS and this excellent recommendation means that they are widely available at PTS branches (in which case, you should also read how you can get exclusive PTS discounts).

Eleanor Waldron, Marketing Director for Vokèra, said: “Training is very much at the heart of our business at Vokèra, we invest a lot to provide this valuable service to installers who benefit enormously from receiving training on different types of boilers. We are pleased to be partnering with OLCI, who are committed to delivering quality training. Such training is vital for the growth and success of our industry.”