24/08/2012
CORGI Technical Services Ltd has announced that the first person to successfully complete the new VRQ in Gas Safety Management in Social Housing is Gas Servicing Manager Darren Fountain of Incommunities.
Set up jointly by CORGI Technical Services, the leading provider of gas safety services, and EAL (Excellence Achievement Learning Ltd), the specialist employer-recognised awarding body, the VRQ (Vocationally Recognised Qualification) in Gas Safety Management in Social Housing is the first sector specific gas safety qualification. The Level 4 VRQ is aimed at management level expertise and is similar to an NVQ. It has been created to meet the needs of social housing organisations who wanted a recognised qualification to validate their skill and enhance their knowledge in delivering effective gas safety management.
Gas Servicing Manager Darren Fountain was sponsored by the housing group Incommunities to study for the qualification and he completed the course following a distance learning programme. Incommunities is responsible for making sure that everyone living in its 18,500 gas connected homes receives an annual gas service.
Darren Fountain said: “This qualification has added to my skill levels and knowledge particularly relating to the latest gas safety legislation. With the support of my employer this qualification will help me provide the best service possible to our customers.”
Jez Lester, Assistant Chief Executive, Resources, said: “Congratulations to Darren on completing this nationally-recognised qualification. As a major housing landlord, gas servicing is a key statutory function that we provide to our customers and having highly trained staff is essential to successfully delivering this operation. At Incommunities we are committed to investing in raising the skill levels of staff by encouraging them to pursue quality training that meet the business needs of the organisation and supports their personal development.”
Claire Heyes, Joint Chief Executive of CORGI Technical Services added: “We are delighted that Darren has completed his VRQ qualification – he will be the first of many other managers responsible for gas safety who are currently nearing completion of the course. We are confident that the qualification will help them to carry out their roles with greater confidence and knowledge.”