Wellington and Hutt Valley gasfitters are doing it for themselves!!  No longer relying on the PGDB or the ESS, they have organised two get togethers to discuss the new Certification Scheme and the new Regulations and what it might mean for them as they go about their work.  It seems that ESS are not being very forthcoming in helping gasfitters interpret the regs or the new certification scheme - with two individual gasfitters that contacted them being told "read the regs and if you don't understand them go to your lawyer."

WOW really helpful!!  NOT!

The Hutt Valley meeting had around 40 gasfitters - and the Wellington one around 10 or so.  There was plenty of discussion - and I think everyone went away a bit more knowledgeable, but the other major thing was that gasfitters decided to keep in regular touch and support each other should the Board come after any of them.  The Wellington group are looking at formalising a Gasfitters Prosecution Support Group - to essentially be a think tank for any gasfitter that might be investigated by the Board.  It was felt that this kind of support was needed because the Board's investigation procedures are so sloppy and shoddy and that lawyers do not understand the regulations of the industry.

It would be a marvellous idea if gasfitters around the country organised get togethers in their area (Mico offered a venue in the Hutt Valley), but other merchants I am sure would be happy to assist their customers.  For those of you that are Federation members, perhaps you could initiate it in your area by sending an email out - perhaps these could be the first "chapter" meetings for the Federation.  If someone brings the regs and then simply chairs the meeting you will find that there will be plenty of chat as gasfitters come to grips with the challenges.  For those in the servicing industry there is quite some changes about what is expected from them, and the public are going to be aghast at the charges I am sure.  We just need to ensure we explain that this has been forced upon us. 

Don't worry about being competitors - this is one time we need to come together and work together.

If you try this in your area - let us all know how you get on.  I would say the Hutt Valley and Wellington meetings were a great start.
One other thing that came up is that we can't expect the Board or ESS to explain any of this to us - they simply don't want to be helpful it would appear.   So gasfitters need to "do it for themselves". 

Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/gas-certification/71/gasfitters-are-doing-it-for-themselves/1510/

To the 2 guys who were told to see lawyers, have you written to Maurice, your local MP (and every other one as well) ? Please write to the CEO of ESS, if only to have a written trail of complaints.