EP #46 – How Inspecting Engineers Changed Terry Sawyer’s View of the Industry
Overview
In this episode, Terry reveals how his time inspecting engineers across London opened his eyes to the gaps in training, the pressures of fast-track courses, and what separates truly competent engineers from those just chasing job opportunities.
Highlights
The problem with training
– (1:26) Being an inspector opened Terry’s eyes to some flaws in the training pathways. Many people get qualified without much experience at all.
– (2:24) The main problem is that the process can be rushed.
– (3:54) Doing training is expensive, so there is an incentive to get qualified and on the tools as quickly as possible.
– (5:55) A lot of newly-qualified engineers try to run before they can walk. There’s a lot of learning involved, especially with servicing.
Becoming an inspector, and going back to the tools
– (7:42) It’s stressful running a business, no matter how well you do. Terry got to a point where he wanted to slow down a bit.
– (8:40) Terry learned a lot being an inspector. On the concern visits, he was able to use his knowledge of testing.
– (9:40) After a while, he wanted to return to the challenge of running a business.
What Terry learned as an inspector
– (11:13) The main thing was how little he knew. You only learn what you get taught, and you only get taught what you need to pass.
Technical bulletins are a great source of information.
– (12:40) A question that a lot of engineers would get wrong, with an indoor plastic gas pipe.
Biggest knowledge gaps
– (14:55) Terry would prefer inspecting the old-school type businesses and engineers. A lot of the newer engineers who have been rushed through training are where issues start to appear.
– (17:00) It’s difficult for a new engineer to get into a well-established business. If they do, they often get overworked and underpaid because they are less experienced.
– (22:38) There’s more to go wrong with boilers now, and therefore more to learn.
– (24:00) A lot of engineers are getting heat pump training as a safety net. But installing and fixing heat pumps is different.
Getting started as a gas engineer
– (20:11) Volunteering your services purely to get experience is an option.
– (21:10) If you’re ever unsure of something, ring Gas Safe up.