Fas workers.

cloptrop

I started my apprenticeship in 2005 .In an apprenticeship you do 7 phases .
Phase 1 -on site
Phase 2 - in fas
Phase 3 -on site
Phase 4-in fas
Phase 5 -on site
Phase 6 -in fas
Phase 7 -onsite.
Each onsite phase should last 6 months and fas phases last between 12 and 22 weeks about.
The onsite phases because of the waiting lists for fas phases took in some cases two years.
After doing about 7 years of an apprenticeship that was meant to last 4 years I was made redundant. I never failed an exam in fas. I started my apprenticeship without a girlfriend, I now have 3 children. All i needed to do was my phase 7 on site for 12 weeks. Fas were very helpful and after a while of threatening to cancel my apprenticeship if I didnt find work I was told I could do a phase 7 equivelency exam for 4 weeks in Galway. I left my family and went and lived in Galway for 4 weeks and passed.
I thought I was qualified took up a job in the North for 12 weeks.
Came home realised i still havnt got my official papers. Was told you hae to reapply to be qualified I may still not be qualified.
I cant do a gas fas course until Im qualified. I cant start my own plumbing business until im qualified. Im basically unemployable until Im qualified.
Im 8 years doing an apprenticeship. I worked on **** money through the boom as an apprentice and now I cant earn even a standard wage .
Whenever I go into fas they sit on their phones for 10 minutes to their friends while they leave me waiting at the counter. Nobody in the place moves faster than snails pace.
Im worried fas may be done away with before I get qualified and all my years plumbing will count for nothing.
Im touching 29 now and im still an apprentice plumber .
8 years fas come on get the ****in finger out.

westendgirlie

When did you finish up in Galway?

sgb

I got a dripping tap, you can come fix it, cash in hand

ShooterSF

Out of curiosity why can't you start your plumbing business without qualifications? If you know how to do it and you are going down the self employed route then a piece of paper is worthless, no? Undercut rivals at a promotional startup price. Fix **** and watch word of mouth do more than a piece of paper would ever do for you.

cloptrop

westendgirlie wrote: »

When did you finish up in Galway?

About a year ago

sgb wrote: »

I got a dripping tap, you can come fix it, cash in hand

Thats a doctor you need to go to

cloptrop

ShooterSF wrote: »

Out of curiosity why can't you start your plumbing business without qualifications? If you know how to do it and you are going down the self employed route then a piece of paper is worthless, no? Undercut rivals at a promotional startup price. Fix **** and watch word of mouth do more than a piece of paper would ever do for you.

To work on gas now there is all sorts of regulations you need the papers or else something like ten years experience and proof of your work

Sauve

Have you tried sending a copy of this to Fás?

cloptrop

Yes, they dont care , make excuses , blame other departments for sending results to wrong places,
I have taught myself a bit of guitar between phonecalls.

Immaculate Pasta

OP - You sound like you're making a fás about nothing to be honest :cool:

Sauve

cloptrop wrote: »

I have taught myself a bit of guitar between phonecalls.

Which bit?

cloptrop

Sauve wrote: »

Which bit?

The bit that makes the babies

Sauve

So you've been fapping between phonecalls to Fás?

ShooterSF

cloptrop wrote: »

To work on gas now there is all sorts of regulations you need the papers or else something like ten years experience and proof of your work

Hypothetically but how would they know *wink* *wink*

.. unless there was a giant gas explosion that killed you and everyone it the house... but then they couldn't charge you. So you know, every cloud and all that

Johnny Foreigner

cloptrop wrote: »

I started my apprenticeship in 2005 .In an apprenticeship you do 7 phases .
Phase 1 -on site
Phase 2 - in fas
Phase 3 -on site
Phase 4-in fas
Phase 5 -on site
Phase 6 -in fas
Phase 7 -onsite.
Each onsite phase should last 6 months and fas phases last between 12 and 22 weeks about.
The onsite phases because of the waiting lists for fas phases took in some cases two years.
After doing about 7 years of an apprenticeship that was meant to last 4 years I was made redundant. I never failed an exam in fas. I started my apprenticeship without a girlfriend, I now have 3 children. All i needed to do was my phase 7 on site for 12 weeks. Fas were very helpful and after a while of threatening to cancel my apprenticeship if I didnt find work I was told I could do a phase 7 equivelency exam for 4 weeks in Galway. I left my family and went and lived in Galway for 4 weeks and passed.
I thought I was qualified took up a job in the North for 12 weeks.
Came home realised i still havnt got my official papers. Was told you hae to reapply to be qualified I may still not be qualified.
I cant do a gas fas course until Im qualified. I cant start my own plumbing business until im qualified. Im basically unemployable until Im qualified.
Im 8 years doing an apprenticeship. I worked on **** money through the boom as an apprentice and now I cant earn even a standard wage .
Whenever I go into fas they sit on their phones for 10 minutes to their friends while they leave me waiting at the counter. Nobody in the place moves faster than snails pace.
Im worried fas may be done away with before I get qualified and all my years plumbing will count for nothing.
Im touching 29 now and im still an apprentice plumber .
8 years fas come on get the ****in finger out.

You worked on poor money through the boom? More fool you.
You have learned a hard lesson in life; don't get involved with FAS.
29 and still an Apprentice Plumber? You don't catch on quick.
You should have not bothered doing the apprenticeship and just gone out and earned.

cloptrop

Sauve wrote: »

So you've been fapping between phonecalls to Fás?

Fapping does not make babies , and neither does having sex standing up I heard.

ShooterSF wrote: »

Hypothetically but how would they know *wink* *wink*

.. unless there was a giant gas explosion that killed you and everyone it the house... but then they couldn't charge you. So you know, every cloud and all that

You need to issue certificates of comformance and all this stuff to people now , its not something you can or should do on the sly.

Frank Black

cloptrop wrote: »

I started my apprenticeship without a girlfriend, I now have 3 children.

So your point is that apprenticeships make you horny and fertile?

Or am I missing something?

cloptrop

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You worked on poor money through the boom? More fool you.
You have learned a hard lesson in life; don't get involved with FAS.
29 and still an Apprentice Plumber? You don't catch on quick.
You should have not bothered doing the apprenticeship and just gone out and earned.

You sound like a fas worker.

starbelgrade

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You worked on poor money through the boom? More fool you.
You have learned a hard lesson in life; don't get involved with FAS.
29 and still an Apprentice Plumber? You don't catch on quick.
You should have not bothered doing the apprenticeship and just gone out and earned.

Are you always this bitter?

Oh, sorry, I just spotted the username Johnny Foreigner, aka, Mr. Bitter Puss.

cloptrop

black francis wrote: »

So your point is that apprenticeships make you horny and fertile?

Or am I missing something?

At the start yes but they leave you feeling dirty and used.

OMARS_COMING_

Similar situation.

Finished work today,FAS were paying me a wage the past 9 months to complete my phase 5 and 7 on the job.

All phases finished now blah blah blah.Need a few weeks work to get my papers,no work out there.

I dont care that much,i was annoyed but to be honest.What can i do?

Fas a terrible crowd to deal with it,just forget about your trade now and get a proper job - these apprenticeships are the most over rated jobs out there.

westendgirlie

The only person to talk to is your assigned training adviser. Don't waste your time talking to anyone else as they don't know your case.

Scan and email the letter they sent you offering Ph7 college placement. If it looked the same as 2, 4 & 6 acceptance letters then there would be the place at the bottom you had to sign. This makes up part of your official contract with FAS.

cloptrop

westendgirlie wrote: »

The only person to talk to is your assigned training adviser. Don't waste your time talking to anyone else as they don't know your case.

Scan and email the letter they sent you offering Ph7 college placement. If it looked the same as 2, 4 & 6 acceptance letters then there would be the place at the bottom you had to sign. This makes up part of your official contract with FAS.

Ive moved house 3 times since then and Im not a letter keeper.
Im waiting for my course advisor to send off my details yet again to a board of independant people that sign me off or not. I did this last year and everything managed to get lost somewhere. I was only told it was lost a couple of months ago after a million phonecalls. And learning about 15 acoustic guitar classics.

Immaculate Pasta

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You worked on poor money through the boom? More fool you.

:eek:

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You have learned a hard lesson in life; don't get involved with FAS.

:cool:

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

29 and still an Apprentice Plumber? You don't catch on quick.

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You should have not bothered doing the apprenticeship and just gone out and earned.

A true roller-coaster of a post. Congrats Johnny Foreigner. Honest and to the point. You may get a lot of flack from posters but at least you're entertaining. Please keep posting

westendgirlie

Well fingers crossed it gets sorted soon.

In the meantime, keep on strumming

OMARS_COMING_

Time needed served,4 years = 208 weeks,including all fas phases.

You also need phases 1-7 completed.I had this conversation with a fas officer a few weeks ago.

There is a way you can get your papers without completing the 208 weeks though.It involves a series of tests/workshops or whatever you want to call it,that involve (from what the fas officer told me) some pretty hard and complicated tasks,but i dont see how they can ask you to do something thats not in the tasks for each phase anyway? idk

As stated above,try speak to your training adviser,but take what he/she says with a pinch of salt i say.From my experience they arent a great help at all.I was told there was no schemes or courses available,i ended up getting a 9 month fully paid work placement with a goverment body that suited me perfect just from a conversation with a fas pay section employee.

There are thousands of apprentices in the same situation out there,all lost souls,but then again we all need the experience,if they were to hand out everyone their qualification it would lose its value/worth and it wouldnt be working for,maybe im wrong just an idea.

TheZohanS

cloptrop wrote: »

Ive moved house 3 times since then and Im not a letter keeper.
Im waiting for my course advisor to send off my details yet again to a board of independant people that sign me off or not. I did this last year and everything managed to get lost somewhere. I was only told it was lost a couple of months ago after a million phonecalls. And learning about 15 acoustic guitar classics.

Keep the chin up mate, at least you didn't revert to the scumbag thing and deal drugs.

cloptrop

OMARS_COMING_ wrote: »

Time needed served,4 years = 208 weeks,including all fas phases.

You also need phases 1-7 completed.I had this conversation with a fas officer a few weeks ago.

There is a way you can get your papers without completing the 208 weeks though.It involves a series of tests/workshops or whatever you want to call it,that involve (from what the fas officer told me) some pretty hard and complicated tasks,but i dont see how they can ask you to do something thats not in the tasks for each phase anyway? idk

As stated above,try speak to your training adviser,but take what he/she says with a pinch of salt i say.From my experience they arent a great help at all.I was told there was no schemes or courses available,i ended up getting a 9 month fully paid work placement with a goverment body that suited me perfect just from a conversation with a fas pay section employee.

There are thousands of apprentices in the same situation out there,all lost souls.

208 weeks well done man, pahase 1-6 all done , phase 7 equivalency done <this is the 4 weeks of tests I was talking about> 10 weeks work after this phase 7 course thing .
The funny thing is I had 2 years college in marketing done and got a certificate in it. I wasnt great at interviews at the time I was a bit shy or young I suppose but I couldnt get a job at it so I started an apprenticeship.
Do I start another line of work now or am I entitled to do nixers and collect the dole? One nixer a week and the dole would be minimum wage , its looking attractive at this stage.

Wintergreen

I was in a similar position to the OP but to be honest in these cases there are going to issues between government departments FAS cant give you your trade certificate until FETEC approve it.

I too had finished all seven phases of the electrical apprenticeship (FAS got me a 3 month placement to complete phase 7 for which I will always be very grateful!) and was expecting my certificate only to be told that although I had finished all 7 phases I had not 4 years service completed and wasnt actually finished my apprenticeship. I needed 9 more weeks on site experience which at the time was very hard to come by, I kept asking to be signed off but FAS told me FETAC wouldnt agree to that.

In fairness to FETEC (whom I never spoke to) from there perspective signing me off would be like giving a degree to someone who had sat 3.9 years of a course and didnt sit there final exams. At the end of the day I had'nt met the requirements to finish my apprenticeship and unfortunately neither have you.

Eventually I decided that I couldnt put my life on hold waiting around for a job that may never arrive so I left and went to Australia. There I found work as a trade assistant and with a letter of my employer and proof of employment (payslips, bank statements) I applied to FAS for recognition of prior learning (although in my case it was more like post learning!). They sent to the application to FETEC who approved it in January this year and two weeks later I recieved a letter from FAS saying my apprenticeship was complete and my certificate would be mailed to me.

This process took almost 4 months (still waiting for my certificate!) and FAS did seem to be helpful in that period but theres not much they can do in this situation. The best advice I can offer you is to hound some plumbing contractors and as is there anyway you could be signed off by them in return for some free weekend work etc. Its a tough situation your in I too, at the time, felt I had wasted a lot of time starting something that I couldnt finish. Over all my 4 year apprenticeship ended up taking just over 5 years so I know im luckier than a lot of people out there.

Hopefully something will come up for you!

OMARS_COMING_

cloptrop wrote: »

208 weeks well done man, pahase 1-6 all done , phase 7 equivalency done <this is the 4 weeks of tests I was talking about> 10 weeks work after this phase 7 course thing .
The funny thing is I had 2 years college in marketing done and got a certificate in it. I wasnt great at interviews at the time I was a bit shy or young I suppose but I couldnt get a job at it so I started an apprenticeship.
Do I start another line of work now or am I entitled to do nixers and collect the dole? One nixer a week and the dole would be minimum wage , its looking attractive at this stage.

Yeah i know the 4 week equivalency tests,they sent me a letter to do that in limerick but it is a long way to limerick from where i reside and i couldnt afford it,finished phase 7 today though and im in a pretty similar situation as you now.

I dont see how they CANT give you your papers if you have to complete course finished? It's FETAC that issue you them afaik,get a TD from your area to look into it maybe? idk man,they really are a hard organization to deal with.

If you can get nixer then definely take them along with your welfare payment,better than nothing.I remember the fas officer saying something about a scheme to push reduntant apprentices through the system that could be coming in,i dont remember the details as it was a few months back and i havent heard anything since.

OMARS_COMING_

Wintergreen wrote: »

I was in a similar position to the OP but to be honest in these cases there are going to issues between government departments FAS cant give you your trade certificate until FETEC approve it.

I too had finished all seven phases of the electrical apprenticeship (FAS got me a 3 month placement to complete phase 7 for which I will always be very grateful!) and was expecting my certificate only to be told that although I had finished all 7 phases I had not 4 years service completed and wasnt actually finished my apprenticeship. I needed 9 more weeks on site experience which at the time was very hard to come by, I kept asking to be signed off but FAS told me FETAC wouldnt agree to that.

In fairness to FETEC (whom I never spoke to) from there perspective signing me off would be like giving a degree to someone who had sat 3.9 years of a course and didnt sit there final exams. At the end of the day I had'nt met the requirements to finish my apprenticeship and unfortunately neither have you.

Eventually I decided that I couldnt put my life on hold waiting around for a job that may never arrive so I left and went to Australia. There I found work as a trade assistant and with a letter of my employer and proof of employment (payslips, bank statements) I applied to FAS for recognition of prior learning (although in my case it was more like post learning!). They sent to the application to FETEC who approved it in January this year and two weeks later I recieved a letter from FAS saying my apprenticeship was complete and my certificate would be mailed to me.

This process took almost 4 months (still waiting for my certificate!) and FAS did seem to be helpful in that period but theres not much they can do in this situation. The best advice I can offer you is to hound some plumbing contractors and as is there anyway you could be signed off by them in return for some free weekend work etc. Its a tough situation your in I too, at the time, felt I had wasted a lot of time starting something that I couldnt finish. Over all my 4 year apprenticeship ended up taking just over 5 years so I know im luckier than a lot of people out there.

Hopefully something will come up for you!

Wtf man.


I was going to go over to OZ next week to try and get some work to finish of my apprenticeship(i planned on going over after phase7).I asked the FAS officer a few weeks ago in a meeting if i could gain my expericence in OZ and do what you had done - get the required paper work and send it in in the hope that it would be recognized.

He told me 'no chance of that happening,you need to get an employer here to take you on' to complete to it.

Im not giving out,it would of just being nice to have known this.O well,i know now anyway,thanks.

cloptrop

OMARS_COMING_ wrote: »

Yeah i know the 4 week equivalency tests,they sent me a letter to do that in limerick but it is a long way to limerick from where i reside and i couldnt afford it,finished phase 7 today though and im in a pretty similar situation as you now.

I dont see how they CANT give you your papers if you have to complete course finished? It's FETAC that issue you them afaik,get a TD from your area to look into it maybe? idk man,they really are a hard organization to deal with.

If you can get nixer then definely take them along with your welfare payment,better than nothing.I remember the fas officer saying something about a scheme to push reduntant apprentices through the system that could be coming in,i dont remember the details as it was a few months back and i havent heard anything since.

Itll be another jobsbridge scheme where plumbers get free tradesmen and pretend they are giving them experience. Just like the shelf stackers in tesco and the fridge movers in currys. The system will be screwed. I seen lads while i was working up the north getting raped with these systems. Qualified lads getting let go because fas funded pahse 7 lads were free.

policarp

cloptrop wrote: »

I started my apprenticeship in 2005
Im touching 29 now and im still an apprentice plumber .

You should have a masters degree by now....

Wintergreen

OMARS_COMING_ wrote: »

Wtf man.


I was going to go over to OZ next week to try and get some work to finish of my apprenticeship(i planned on going over after phase7).I asked the FAS officer a few weeks ago in a meeting if i could gain my expericence in OZ and do what you had done - get the required paper work and send it in in the hope that it would be recognized.

He told me 'no chance of that happening,you need to get an employer here to take you on' to complete to it.

Im not giving out,it would of just being nice to have known this.O well,i know now anyway,thanks.

I had asked my training advisor before I left what the chances of experience gained abroad being accepted and got a series of non-answers! It didnt help that my advisor (who I never met!) was retiring and I was assigned some other person mid way though the application.

I know this is the internet and im some randomer but honestly, I know a lot of guys who are in the same boat as I was and I wouldnt make somethhing like this up for a laugh. The thing is FAS dont review the application it goes off to FETEC so maybe your advisor didnt know and didnt want to promise anything?

What I sent them was 6 months of pay slips, photocopies of all my phase stickers and a letter from my employer which stated I worked under the supervision of an electrician at all times and what my duties involved. I then packed the application with experience gained during my entire apprenticeship and dates.

Maybe I got lucky and the panel who reviewed it were in good humour, but its in there interest to approve genuine applicants so as to reduce the number of apprentices left in limbo. If you are going to Australia you have nothing to lose, ask for a copy of the application form (recognition of prior learning) and take it with you. I must caution you though its not as easy as its made out at home to get work here if you have no Australian license let alone not having an Irish one. I was super lucky in hindsight!

If I can be any more help let me know!

cloptrop

policarp wrote: »

You should have a masters degree by now....

Yep

policarp

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

You worked on poor money through the boom? More fool you.
You have learned a hard lesson in life; don't get involved with FAS.
29 and still an Apprentice Plumber? You don't catch on quick.
You should have not bothered doing the apprenticeship and just gone out and earned.

Not racist normally but Johnny F Off home..>

cloptrop

policarp wrote: »

Not racist normally but Johnny F Off home..>

+ 7 there policarp , I loved the word play the attitude and the hatred to the smart arse.

starbelgrade

Immaculate Pasta wrote: »

You may get a lot of flack from posters but at least you're entertaining.

That depends entirely what you mean by 'entertaining'.

westendgirlie

FAS have been running Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) for over 12 months now. You are contracted to an employer for the duration of your phase but you are paid by FAS. Being paid by FAS can work to an apprentices advantage as they will be paid the set rate rather than an employer paying you whatever they want.

To qualify you have to prove you were laid off usually with a letter from previous employer. AFAIK, an apprentice who has used RAPS to finish Ph7 does not have to work another 10wks before becoming qualified. Once assessments are in from the employer they just have to wait for their certificate.

MickySticks

westendgirlie wrote: »

<p>FAS have been running Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) for over 12 months now. You are contracted to an employer for the duration of your phase but you are paid by FAS. Being paid by FAS can work to an apprentices advantage as they will be paid the set rate rather than an employer paying you whatever they want. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>To qualify you have to prove you were laid off usually with a letter from previous employer. AFAIK, an apprentice who has used RAPS to finish Ph7 does not have to work another 10wks before becoming qualified. Once assessments are in from the employer they just have to wait for their certificate.</p>

<p>Cool story bro</p>

westendgirlie

Dammit! That always happens when I edit a post using my phone

amacachi

As loathe as I am to encourage the ridiculousness to continue, get onto a TD or councillors to see if they'll put a word in for you. It shouldn't be necessary but FAS seem to try to outdo each other in how useless they can be.

Vain

westendgirlie wrote: »

FAS have been running Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) for over 12 months now. You are contracted to an employer for the duration of your phase but you are paid by FAS. Being paid by FAS can work to an apprentices advantage as they will be paid the set rate rather than an employer paying you whatever they want.

To qualify you have to prove you were laid off usually with a letter from previous employer. AFAIK, an apprentice who has used RAPS to finish Ph7 does not have to work another 10wks before becoming qualified. Once assessments are in from the employer they just have to wait for their certificate.

I done RAPS and thats not true all raps give is the minimum needed to complete each phase. Like for phase 7 I got the minimum 12 weeks to complete the phase but I don't have the 208weeks completed to get my papers. so no papers for me any time soon.

I started by apprenticeship 6 years ago and im still short a few months, its sad after passing all my exams and phases I will never get my papers any time soon. Im off now training in a different line of work all together so its looking likely I will never get them!

westendgirlie

That's a shame Vain. An apprentices career is definitely at the mercy of their training adviser and how well they do their job.

I don't work for FAS. I deal with training on the employers side. I have the upmost respect for the training adviser in our region. Many on the RAPS list were in the same position as you. They had done the phase but their employer at the time never registered them so time spent was nil and void. Unfortunately, the apprentice would have to repeat the phase but instead of stopping to go to college, they would move straight on to next onsite phase.

It all depends how dedicated your training adviser is in helping you achieve qualified status though and there are many incompetent twats working in FAS.

Immaculate Pasta

starbelgrade wrote: »

That depends entirely what you mean by 'entertaining'.

Yes. Yes it does.