Chimney Sweep Training Courses

Chimney sweeping is a professional, historic trade. It’s also a necessary occupation to keep households safe. To state it simply: an unswept chimney equals a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. And that poses a direct danger of death or serious injury to inhabitants in any home or business premises.

You don’t actually need a legal qualification to be a chimney sweep. But it would be ridiculous – and that is the right word for it – not to undertake any industry standard training. It gives you confidence in the work you do and also reassures customers that you’re a proper tradesman. If you want to be a chimney sweep, please do gain professional mentoring, training and qualifications.

MENTORING

Gary the Chimney Sweep offers a tailor-made, personal mentoring scheme* for novice chimney sweeps in Brighton, Hove, Lewes, Eastbourne, Portslade, Shoreham by Sea, Lancing, Worthing, Findon, Angmering, Arundel, Hassocks, Henfield, Crawley, Billingshurst, Petworth, Hurstpierpoint, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Horsham and Haywards Heath.

* Contact Gary directly (07825 163 864) to discuss your personal options and costs involved.

Chimney sweep training courses are being developed all the time. Please find below the latest national courses:-

HETAS:

HETAS is the government-approved body, which offers a competent person scheme for installer of biomass and solid fuel heating, registration for retailers and chimney sweeps, and approval of appliances and fuels. The organisation offera a solid fuel awareness scheme, which is highly recommended for chimney sweeps. It teaches about regulations and basic issues such as solid fuel use.

GUILD OF MASTER SWEEPS

The guild is a respected trade body, which was founded some 20 years ago. It is considered to be a respectable ambition, within the industry, to become a member of the guild. The guild offers a wide range of courses to certify sweeps, at the guild HQ in Ripley, Derbyshire.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIMNEY SWEEPS (NACS)

NACS is a professional trade association, formed in 1982, which offers a wide range of training courses for chimney sweeps of all abilities, from novice to experienced level. Special rates are offered for ex military personnel.

THE INSTITUTE OF CHIMNEY SWEEPS (ICS)

This trade association for chimney sweeps and installers offers one and two-day courses at its Maidstone Training Centre in premises in Kent. There are also refurbishment courses to give sweeps the expertise needed to guide homeowners with care of wood stoves. ICS is the largest chimney sweeping association in the UK.

THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT CHIMNEY SWEEPS (APICS)

APICS is an independent trade body founded in 2002. The organisation, which supports the independence of sweeps, has a Continued Professional Development Scheme for all members. Training takes place in Guildford and Tiverton on a regular basis. Attendees on courses will practise chimney sweeping, using different systems and reassembling stoves on the sites.

SWEEP SAFE

Sweep Safe is the new kid on the block – founded in April 2018 for experienced chimney sweeps. Daniel Hodgson, former chairman of the Guild of Master Sweeps, set up the association with his son (also called Daniel). Course training is being developed with ongoing discussions with HETAS. It’s a case of ‘watch this space’.