Graph from the Gas Safe Register showing predicted ACS demand over the coming months.

All LCL Awards centres delivering ACS assessments will be aware that the Gas Safe Register has been offering six month extensions for engineers whose ACS certification expired during the Covid 19 pandemic. This is to account for the disruption caused by closed centres and candidates unable to train because they are shielding, unwell and/or unable to travel.

On March 31^st next year this is coming to an end, which we anticipate will create a huge demand and consequent backlog of ACS reassessments. According to the Gas Safe Register there is a four-fold increase in the number of ACS assessments due, across all industries – domestic, commercial and LPG.

Take advantage of the backlog – tell your customers

As we enter 2021 expect to see bookings increase considerably. This is good news for your business, but in order to take full advantage and ensure your customers are not left in a position where their Gas Safe Registration is in jeopardy, we recommend taking steps now to promote this issue and encourage installers due for ACS reassessment to book their place.

Many of you will be operating at reduced capacity in order to comply with social distancing requirements, adding more pressure to the situation.

A reminder of the Gas Safe Register extension information:

• Engineers whose ACS qualifications expired before 1^st October and have been unable to book/attend an ACS reassessment are permitted to remain on the Register for up to six months from the expiry date on their ACS certificate.
• Engineers whose ACS qualifications expired on or after 1^st October have until 31^st March 2021 to renew their qualifications.

From 31^st March onwards normal ACS reassessment timeframes will resume.

We will be issuing the 2021 ACS assessment documentation as soon as it has been updated and in good time for centres to implement by 1st March. 

For more information about our Gas ACS qualifications, click here. 

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