Where do people from NI choose to do their COMPEX course?

steeley1985 · Feb 21, 2013

I have been looking at and trying to price the most economical place to do COMPEX. Also taking into account travel and accommodation.

Aberdeen is cheapest for the actual course, although travel to Aberdeen and accommodation are very expensive.
Southampton is most expensive I've seen for the course (£990+VAT) but travel and accommodation is quite reasonable.
Ellesmere Port is another option, unsure of the course price atm (going to ring later today) but flights to Liverpool are reasonable, then a few pounds on the train. Still having trouble finding accommodation prices tho. So hopefully when I ring, they will have some sort of deals with hotels for people attending the course.

Obviously with me being from NI, I am expecting to fork out for travel and a weeks accommodation. So I'm looking some advice on where people from NI have done their COMPEX and the overall cost.

Cheers in advance

timbobelfast · Feb 21, 2013

Try Forthvalley College in Falkirk. Course is 975 and I got 6 nights in a decent hotel for 250.

I was over there in December doing mine. Hotels are expensive in Aberdeen and it's another few hours drive from Falkirk.

There is also a centre in Wales but not sure about costs.

Unless you are aiming for a career offshore then Compex won't be much use IMO.

I am heading back over to Aberdeen next month to do BOSIET.

steeley1985 · Feb 21, 2013

Cheers Timbo.

Yeah I've already done my BOSIET, MIST and Medical in January past there. There seems to be a difference of around £200 between prices in Scotland and England!

Where did you stay in Falkirk? And was it handy to the College!As its not that expensive flying into Edinburgh and hopping on the train to Falkirk.

Also apparently COMPEX is/has been made more or less compulsory now for working on MOD sites too. (According to the nice lady on the telephone)
I have worked in Hazardous Areas and Confined Spaces previously on EX Rated installations (Sewage Pumping Stations and Waste Water Treatment Works) and COMPEX was never an issue then! Just goes to show, money money money!!!!

timbobelfast · Feb 21, 2013

I stayed in Premier Inn Central, was only a 5 min drive to the college. Yea and the timer starts after you receive the certificate. There is also a Best Western nearby aswell that a few of the other lads stayed in.