Over the next few months the issue of NVQ qualifications is going to become more and more important in our line of work. There is going to be a big push for the industry to improve the standard of fitting and is going to go through the same process that the gas industry went through a few years ago, with Gas Safe being their marque of competency.

Lets be honest, our industry has needed it for quite a while now. Our reputation for slap dash fitters that are never to be seen again has caused immeasurable damage that desperately needs fixing in this time of austerity. So, the Government is introducing NVQ qualifications for window and door installations, as well as soffits, fascias and barge boards. Good news!

The better news is that up until the middle of summer, there is a way to achieve these NVQ qualifications for free, and that is through the Fenestration College. The Fenestration College receives funding which enables them to provide these qualification courses for free. But this isn’t going to be available forever. It is predicted in July that funding for these courses is going to run dry, meaning no more free NVQ’s! So its a case of get there first and get there quick if you want your fitters to be NVQ qualified and be able to advertise that on your vans!

The Fenestration College make things easy for you to get these qualifications. They’ll come visit you and your staff at your offices at a time to suit you – meaning early AM starts are fine so you can get your fitters out on site in good time. They provide all the help required to make sure the paper part of the course is done and provide all the expert staff (who have previous fitting experience) to oversee the onsite/installation part of the course. Overall it takes very little time and qualifies you for the Green Deal as well. Something which all installers will be interested in.

This is a list of some of the companies that have signed up for the free NVQ’s over the last couple of months:

Nigel Grant PVCu

BJB Windows

Installs Direct

Clearview Windows

Nelson Double Glazing

G&K Installations

Nailsworth Doors and Windows

Central Roofline

DL Installation UK

Masterframe Windows

B&P Windows

Pride Windows

First Glass Installation

Stephen Bassett

A&S Fixings

As I’ve said, the time period to get these qualifications for free isn’t open ended so time is of the essence. For more information please contact Andy Clegg on 0845 5430215 or 07553 370770 or visit www.fenestration-college.co.uk