Domestic Appliance Servicing

Southern Dandy

I'm interested in doing this course with Chevron Training in Cork, does anyone have any information on it? I'm an electrician by trade. With regards course content, whats involved and what qualifications do you get at the end? Is it worth doing?


Thanks.

bigman1987

hi,
All that I really know about chevron courses is that they can be quite expensive. Just give them a ring, im sure they will tell you if you can apply and what qualification you'll get.
If you are unemployed, worth checking the fas website!
Sorry if thats not much help to you.

Billy Bunting

You can get the course via FAS if your unemployed, pay for it and its costly. If your a sparks your qualified for it, if your paying for it they quite honestly couldnt give a 5hit if you brain dead. Papers on completion ain't worth a toss.
Cheapest option is to ask a non local firm if you could do a weeks work experience for free, a week is all it takes to give you the general knowledge to get started.

johnjunior79

Hi
I am interested in doing this course but would like to know has anyone done it.I am in full time employment so would have to pay all the costs myself and i would like some feedback about this course.cheers:)

Beckala

Has anyone done the Chevron course in Domestic Appliance Servicing? I'd like to go out on my own but I've no previous experience. Any advice on the steps to take would be appreciated.

dpofloinn

I don't know where in the country you are but this might be an option for you http://www.dlcfe.ie/11ECART04.html.

dpofloinn

This is what 086lavey might be referring to http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/chevron-training-examintership-730050-Dec2012/

Beckala

dpofloinn wrote: »

I don't know where in the country you are but this might be an option for you http://www.dlcfe.ie/11ECART04.html.

Really appreciate that. I'm living in Portlaoise but I would be willing to travel as Chevron were looking for €595 and I was going to have to put a serious dent in savings I don't have!

dpofloinn

No bother at all.Chevron are expensive and always have been

desoc32

I might do that course in dun laoghaire myself lads. Get too many calls re washing machines and cookers and usually pass them on :eek:

dpofloinn

Certainly would be no harm to have it done could definitely be the difference when tendering for jobs big or small

Beckala

dpofloinn wrote: »

Certainly would be no harm to have it done could definitely be the difference when tendering for jobs big or small

my only concern, having looked further into it since you mentioned it, is that you don't seem to come out with any piece of paper to show that you've done it in Dun Laoighre.

Does this mean the one in Chevron is more expensive coz it's more detailed and that the other one is basic? I mean, if I plan on going out on my own, I'd want to have a fair clue as to what I'm doing!

dpofloinn

It might be worth sending them an email to see if it comes with any recognised certification,on their website they say their courses are recognised at either Level 5 or 6 on the National Qualifications Framework

kevmc1180

Hi did you attend this course in the end?
I know it was a long time ago, but am interested myself, but want some opinions first as it is a lot of money...

kevmc1180

Did anyone here do the course with chevron?
I too am interested in this, but for the money Id want to see some kinda of cert for my efforts.
Id like it to be sideline and maybe develop it into a full time job..
I have a 15 years experience servicing repairing and installing mobility equipment specialising in stairlifts.

Beckala

I went for this course being in exactly the same position as yourself, wanted to do it as a side line, maybe make a bit of extra cash. I read up and did all the research, I wasn't 100% sure about the certification, like yourself but decided to chance it as when I rang Chevron they assured me everything was above board & that the certification was well recognised.

I was only a day or two into the course when I realised to my horror (having spent my last bob on it) that it was nothing like had been advertised. You would actually do better yourself tinkering away on an old machine in the shed.

Basically, what you learn is not worth the money you spend. I rang Chevron to say it wasn't for me and ask for my money back as they had mis-sold the course, giving a totally wrong impression of what you would learn. After 3 months, I got my money back in total which speaks volumes in my book.

The cert, after more research, it turns out is only recognised by Chevron themselves and by no-one else, so not worth the paper it's written on in the long run.

Been there, done that, my advice is run! They're your best friend and will bend over backwards to sell it to you and get your money but when you realise you've been duped, there's zero support.

That was my experience, I wouldn't like anyone else to get caught.

The Red Ace

As a self employed service engineer for over 3 decades my advice to guys thinking of becoming an engineer is try and find someone like myself to take you on a trial basis for a couple of weeks even without pay if you are seriously interested, you will know yourself if you are picking up on what causes what to tick in a short time. Ideally after that if you could get 12 months paid work, then go for the certified course and you wont be going in green and paying big money to instructors who may not be top class in the first place. Refrigeration is a course in itself you have to be able to braze weld in compressors ,know how to vac down units and recharge them etc as well as being able to correctly diagnose the fault in the first place. The problem I have seen with a lot of these short courses is a guy comes out and blows an expensive module or the like in an appliance because he hasn't enough experience, it then doesn't take long to become peed off. Good luck to anyone going for the trade.

Billy Bunting

Agree totally with the above, go with a manufacturer or someone in the trade, practical experience is what you need and you'll not get it on a coarse.

Billy Bunting

They will also offer you installments until half paid up then you get the letters insisting on payment up front.

kevmc1180

Hi
I have been a service engineer for some 13 years but in a slightly different sector.
Mainly mobility equipment, (stairifts-platformlifts-scooters-powered wheelchairs-hoists-sluice macerators)
However this sector is quite tight, and I want to branch further.
I am well used to installation and fault finding.
I have fixed a few washing machines and dryers of family and friends too. but with the use of the internet......
I was thinking of doing this course, as a way of being shown fault finding generally on most machines.
I was told that the cert is not what its about but the knowledge gained....
Is this really as bad as it has been documented here?
The Red Ace what certified course can you do?
The Dixon course in the UK looks really good, and is 2 weeks long, but when you add travel and accom it becomes nearly twice the price..
Is there at all a possibility that this course has a negative vibe, as people are worried about increased competition ?
Just a thought...

I do appreciate the information, and its really made me think twice about it, I did have my mind made up to do it, so I am now giving the idea of the Dixon course in the UK some serious thought.

Danny Mulcahy

There is a few courses run by Chevron I would like to do myself for the same reason of branching out over different sectors.

Was also wondering is there bad rep Justified.

Is there anyone else on here that did do a course with them...good/bad or indifferent.

Anyone know of the legalities of there courses..ie...Are they regulated by an outside body from the company???

kevmc1180

Beckala wrote: »

I went for this course being in exactly the same position as yourself, wanted to do it as a side line, maybe make a bit of extra cash. I read up and did all the research, I wasn't 100% sure about the certification, like yourself but decided to chance it as when I rang Chevron they assured me everything was above board & that the certification was well recognised.

I was only a day or two into the course when I realised to my horror (having spent my last bob on it) that it was nothing like had been advertised. You would actually do better yourself tinkering away on an old machine in the shed.

Basically, what you learn is not worth the money you spend. I rang Chevron to say it wasn't for me and ask for my money back as they had mis-sold the course, giving a totally wrong impression of what you would learn. After 3 months, I got my money back in total which speaks volumes in my book.

The cert, after more research, it turns out is only recognised by Chevron themselves and by no-one else, so not worth the paper it's written on in the long run.

Been there, done that, my advice is run! They're your best friend and will bend over backwards to sell it to you and get your money but when you realise you've been duped, there's zero support.

That was my experience, I wouldn't like anyone else to get caught.

Did you do an alternative course then?
How was it a waste of time?
Did you still end up pursuing work in this area in the end?
Is it possible it may have gotten better through the week.?

2011

Danny Mulcahy wrote: »

Was also wondering is there bad rep Justified.

Good question.

Anyone know of the legalities of there courses..ie...Are they regulated by an outside body from the company???

According to their website:

"As a FETAC, FAS, APM Group, OFTEC, ERS and Blueflame approved training provider, learners are ensured that our courses have passed a robust quality assurance process and thus satisfy the level desired by these internationally recognised accreditation bodies."

2011

kevmc1180 wrote: »

Hi
I have been a service engineer for some 13 years but in a slightly different sector.

So what sort of training course did you do, an apprenticeship, a Chevron training course or similar, in house training? How long did it take to complete the training?

However this sector is quite tight, and I want to branch further.

What would you like to branch into?

I am well used to installation and fault finding.
I have fixed a few washing machines and dryers of family and friends too. but with the use of the internet......
I was thinking of doing this course, as a way of being shown fault finding generally on most machines.

I don't think that there is any money to be made at this to be honest. Not long ago I had my dishwasher collected, repaired and returned with a 6 month warranty (or perhaps 1 year I can't remember. This cost me in the region of €100 and the repair workshop is about 15km away. I simply can't see how they could pay the repairman a descent wage. If the machine were to fail within the warranty period they would make a loss.

By the way I am very happy with the service provided and would recommend this well known company.

Danny Mulcahy

2011 wrote: »

According to their website:

"As a FETAC, FAS, APM Group, OFTEC, ERS and Blueflame approved training provider, learners are ensured that our courses have passed a robust quality assurance process and thus satisfy the level desired by these internationally recognised accreditation bodies."

It all sounds hunky dorry there alright!!!!

Wonder being an independent training company are they checked annually or even at all after they got the thumbs up.

kevmc1180

2011 wrote: »

So what sort of training course did you do, an apprenticeship, a Chevron training course or similar, in house training? How long did it take to complete the training?

I worked for my fathers company back in Wales its a job that I have done since I was in School helping out on weekends then worked with him in adulthood. This business is no longer in operation.
So manly on the job training.


What would you like to branch into?

The company I currently work for have surplus engineers for demand, some engineers were let go, I got made into a part time storeman part time intstaller engineer.
I am confident in repairing many types of equipment, including appliances and electric mowers, I just want some extra training to go into appliances in more detail..i have repaired friends and familes, with the help of the internet as a guide.




I don't think that there is any money to be made at this to be honest. Not long ago I had my dishwasher collected, repaired and returned with a 6 month warranty (or perhaps 1 year I can't remember. This cost me in the region of €100 and the repair workshop is about 15km away. I simply can't see how they could pay the repairman a descent wage. If the machine were to fail within the warranty period they would make a loss.

I understand your point completely however on a self employed basis I would say 3 calls a day and you could be looking at a comfortable wage.
I plan to do this in addition to the stairlifts.

Bruthal

kevmc1180 wrote: »

I understand your point completely however on a self employed basis I would say 3 calls a day and you could be looking at a comfortable wage.
I plan to do this in addition to the stairlifts.

I did repairing of commercial microwaves, glass washers and dishwashers for a while. Purely to do something different 20 years ago. Money was not great at it.

andyboyl

Andy here
Did this course autumn last year. The course is overpriced big time for one week and you get a cert recognised only By them!! It's rushed and not comprehensive in anyway. Not enough machines, pathetic..