CORGI Registration - The times they are a changing

Companies who run plumber training courses, plumbing training courses and gas training courses should be aware that there are changes happening at CORGI. The changes principally relate to those involved with CORGI training or Gas training as well as CORGI registered gas installers already working in the industry.

From April 1^st 2009 there will be a transfer of management of the gas register from CORGI to Capita.

The HSE has driven through this very significant change with the intention that the new scheme will cover gas installer registration and inspection. The new scheme is also intended to raise awareness of gas safety issues among consumers and thereby bring a new focus on gas safety.

Les Philpott of the HSE made it clear that the new provider's performance will be monitored by Key Performance Indicators (KPI) which will be used as an empirical tool to quantify targeted improvements made.

He also said that "It will be incumbent on the new provider to operate in a financially transparent manner. New governance will require HSE approval for additional services and that a gain sharing plan is put in place which will ensure that excess profits are returned to installers. There will also be reviews that set benchmarks for the services provided to installers".

There will be penalties imposed for failing to meet the targets imposed by the HSE. The penalties will in some circumstances result in the new provider having to pay part of their profits into a fund the purpose of which will be to compensate installers for poor service received from the provider and or to make improvements to the scheme.

It is understood that the HSE intends to put the management of the register out to tender every five years. It is inevitable that as a result of the April 2009 change, the new register name will require changes to stationery and the livery of vehicles.

It is not yet clear what the new scheme will be called but the HSE will own the brand name for the new register. Therefore in future even if the provider changes, the name of the register will remain the same and consequently there will be no need to change stationery and livery. In time the expression ‘CORGI registered' will be a thing of the past as the brand name of the new register takes over.

According to Les Philpott registration fees are expected to be less costly than is currently the case. Watch this space!