Learner Zone
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FAQs

The FAQ's section is broken in to different sections as per the links below:-

General

  • Why do my LCL Awards Certificates have an expiry date?
    • If they are ACS or OFTEC certificates the both sets of scheme rules are prescriptive in stating that there must be an expiry date on the certificate not exceeding 5 years from the date of assessment. As this date was originally based on an approved code of practice and has proven to be an appropriate duration for reassessment across the building engineering sector LCL Awards has adopted 5 years as a standard for reassessment.  Note; not all LCL Awards qualifications have an expiry date, see each individual qualification for details.
  • How can I express paperwork which has already been submitted to you?
    • If your paperwork has already submitted to LCL Awards then you would need to contact the centre at which you undertook the assessment and arrange for the portfolio to be expressed. This is a chargeable service.
  • Can my employer request a replacement certificate on my behalf?
    • The employer can send the request to LCL Awards but it must be signed by the person named on the certificate. Payment will need to be made in the normal manner, see the "replacement certificate" section on the website
  • Can certificates be sent direct to the employer
    • If the candidate has signed an authorization for this to happen then yes, otherwise they will be sent direct to the candidate. Contact your approved centre who can arrange this.
  • Where is my nearest training centre?
    • Go to the "find a centre" section on the website enter your postcode and select the qualification you are looking for a list starting with the nearest centre will be produced
  • How long will it take for me to receive my certificate?
    • Certificates are normally dispatched within 10-14 working days from the portfolio being received by the LCL Awards office from the approved centre. This is dependent on the portfolio being found to be complete and correct by LCL Awards. You should always contact the approved centre first to make sure the portfolio has been dispatched to LCL Awards
  • Why haven't Gas Safe received my Hot Water Safety System (Unvented) qualification details?
    • Gas Safe Register does not allow LCL Awards to send details of achievement of this certificate. Candidates must make Gas Safe Register aware that they hold a current certificate directly
  • I have not received an ID card with my certificate?
    • ID cards do not accompany every certificate, please see the wallet your certificate was contained in to see if an ID card would have been enclosed
  • Why isn't my certificate number on my ID card?
    • If an ID card is included it can include details from multiple certificates which would not be possible to include on the card
  • How do I get a replacement certificate?
    • See the replacement certificate section on the website where you can download a replacement certificate application form to be completed and sent to our office
  • Why do I have to provide a photo for a replacement certificate?
    • A photo is required for those certificates that also include an ID card. LCL Awards is also required to upload a current photo to Gas Safe Register when issuing certificates under the ACS scheme. This photo is used on the Gas Safe Register ID card so the photo provided to LCL Awards must be of passport quality
  • How much do training courses cost?
    • Costs for the course and assessments are set by each individual approved centre not by LCL Awards. The "find a centre" section on the website will bring up a list of LCL Awards approved centres and you can contact each individual centre to compare the prices
  • Can I use the LCL Awards Logo on my company paperwork and marketing material
    • LCL Awards does not allow the use of the LCL Awards company logo by any organisation apart from Approved Assessment centres

Gas      (back to top)

  • What's the difference between an ACS certificate of competence and Gas NVQ or RQF/QCF Qualification?
    • An ACS certificate demonstrates that the holder has been assessed against the national gas safety competence criteria in matters of gas safety only. ACS will not assess other skills such as plumbing, electrical, building, Health & Safety and Scientific principles etc. A Gas NVQ or RQF/QCF qualification does include those skills (where appropriate) which form an integral part of the qualification.
  • How long does it take to complete my ACS assessments?
    • Depending on your levels of knowledge, what assessments you are undertaking and whether you are undertaking assessments for the first time or reassessment. Example; a well prepared candidate undertaking CCN1, HTR1, CENWAT, CKR1 as a packaged assessment for the first time would take about 4 days. A similar candidate undertaking the same package of assessments as a reassessment would take about 2 - 2½ days.
  • What's the difference between ACS initial and reassessment?
    • Initial assessment requires candidates to demonstrate their gas safety competence against the assessment criteria by carrying out a number of practical tasks such as installing, servicing, inspecting and identifying defects on appliances. Candidates also have to successfully answer a number of knowledge questions. Candidates undertaking reassessment carry out a reduced number of practical tasks and answer fewer knowledge questions; reassessment candidates have fewer attempts than the initial assessment candidate to demonstrate their competence.
  • How is Gas Safe Register notified of my ACS gas qualifications?
    • LCL Awards uploads the certificate and candidate details directly to the Gas Safe Register database. There can sometimes be a delay before it appears on the Gas Safe Register registration system as there is an internal transfer that takes place at Gas Safe Register overnight
  • Is there a qualification for supervisors, managers and auditors?
    • LCL Awards has published a suite of Level 4 gas safety management qualifications designed for supervisors or managers who do not carry out any hands on gas work. These qualifications are available for the social housing, catering and non-domestic sectors. We also have Level 3 qualifications for auditors and a Level 2 gas safety awareness qualification.

Electrical      (back to top)

  • I am a qualified heating engineer and want to install my own electrical installation work. I also want to be able to notify my installations to Building Control via a Competent Person Scheme, what courses do I need to do?
    • The LCL Awards Domestic Electrical Installer Course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to able to safely install electrical installations in accordance with Part P of the Building Regulations and BS7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations. To be able to join a Competent Persons Scheme you will also need to complete the  LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate in Installing Testing and Ensuring Compliance of Electrical Installations in Dwellings.
  • My Logic Certification Part P certificate has expired, can I undertake reassessment?
    • The LCL Awards Part P course has been updated and re-titled Domestic Electrical Installer Course which you can undertake if required, please note the FAQ above on Competent Person Schemes.
  • I am an experienced electrician and want to learn how to install Solar PV, Battery Storage and Electric Vehicle Charging systems, do you award these qualifications?
    • Yes, LCL Awards are one of the leading Awarding Organisations in this sector and have a suite of Level 3 RQF qualifications covering this work activity, please visit the Electrical Sector on the Qualifications page of our website for details.
  • Is your BS7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations recognised by employers and Competent Person Schemes?
    • Yes, our suite of RQF electrical qualifications are recognised by the electrical sector and equivalent to those published by other Awarding Organisations.

 

 

Plumbing      (back to top)

  • I am an experienced plumber but do not have any formal qualifications, am I able to take your Hot Water Systems & Safety, Water Regulations and Legionella prevention courses?
    • LCL Awards normally recommend that candidates hold a NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualification, however providing you have at least 2 years experience carrying out plumbing work and are familiar with the current standards and best practice you should be able to attend and complete the course. We would recommend you discuss your training requirements with your local LCL Awards approved training centre.
  • Does LCL Awards offer RQF plumbing qualifications?
    • LCL Awards has developed a range of regulated qualifications for operatives working in the Building Engineering Services sector including Level 2 Diploma in the Installation & Maintenance of Plumbing & Heating Systems and Level 2 NVQ Diploma in the Installation & Maintenance of Plumbing & Heating Systems.

LCL Awards is currently developing a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating qualification which will be available in 2023.

  • I have completed a Plumbing Technical Certificate but it is not recognised by the Approved Plumber Scheme which I want to join, what can I do?
    • In addition to holding a certificate in Water Regulations you will also need to hold as a minimum a Level 2 NVQ in plumbing qualification. Providing your Technical Certificate is recognised by LCL Awards and you can demonstrate your prior skills and knowledge previously learned, you can upskill to our Level 2 NVQ Diploma in the Installation & Maintenance of Plumbing & Heating Systems without having to relearn what you can already do and know. In this case we recommend you speak to your local LCL Awards training centre delivering our plumbing qualification.
  • My Unvented G3 qualification over 5 years old and i have told I need to renew it, what do i need to do?
    • Most competent person schemes inc. Gas Safe Register will not recognise certificates which are over 5 years old, therefore you need to contact one of our approved centres and undertake our Hot Water Systems and Safety (G3) course as a reassessment.

Heating      (back to top)

  • I fit gas central heating and would like to improve my knowledge on how to size boilers and radiators and install heating systems correctly, what courses would you recommend?
    • The LCL Awards Foundation Certificate in Basic Heating and Hot Water System Design & Specification would provide you with the knowledge and skills to meet your learning needs. Don't forget that you must ensure that your heating installations must comply with Part L of the building regulations, our Energy Efficiency for Domestic Heating qualification will demonstrate to your Competent Persons Scheme that you are up to date and compliant with current regulations.
  • I am an experienced heating engineer and know how to design and install heating systems but would like to improve my knowledge on current standards, building regulations and Boiler Plus.
    • We would recommend you complete the following qualifications: Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Gas Fired and Oil Fired Domestic Heating and Hot Water Systems and Level 3 Award in Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water Systems in Dwellings.

Renewables      (back to top)

  • How can I get recognised by the Micro Generation Certification Scheme (MCS) to fit Solar Thermal Hot Water, Solar Photovoltaic, Biomass or Heat Pump Systems, ?
    • You will have to contact an MCS provider and discuss their requirements for business registration; one area where we can help is qualifications. Part of MCS approval is demonstrating that you or your installer's are competent to carry out the installation of the applied for system. By undertaking the relevant LCL Awards renewables qualification you will be demonstrating to your MCS provider your competence to design, install and maintain those systems.
  • Are all your renewable qualifications recognised by industry?
    • Yes, all LCL Awards qualifications in renewable technology are recognised by all MCS providers.

Oil      (back to top)

  • Why do you not supply an ID card with the OFTEC certificate of competence?
    • The OFTEC scheme enables individual's to demonstrate their competence in the installation and maintenance of oil fired appliances and to be able to join the OFTEC registration scheme, once registered OFTEC issue their own ID card to individual members.