HARDWARE
DHF LEADS THE INDUSTRY THROUGH TRAINING
EXCELLENCE AND RAISING STANDARDS
» DOOR & HARDWARE FEDERATION
(DHF) has long been a fierce advocate for
appropriate levels of training and is renowned
industry-wide for its 100% commitment to
raising standards. It continues to champion
safe, compliant products and installations, and
through its comprehensive training courses,
is encouraging both managers and operatives
to consistently employ legal and ethical
practices.
In 2019 alone, DHF trained close to
1000 people, with more than 450 candidates
attending the two-day safety diploma courses
and the same number of learners opting for the
Level 2 Award one-day safety training courses.
In 2019, 100 inspection and installation of
metal or timber fire door courses were held
in conjunction with BRE Academy. To date,
more than 3200 individuals completed at least
one of DHF’s safety training courses, whether
a diploma or Award course, and in July, it
announced the launch of its first one-day public
Automated Gate Group Level 2 Award Course
in Ireland. Indeed, so successful was this, that
the federation held a second one-day public
Level 2 Award in Automated Gate and Traffic
Barrier Safety in Ireland in February. The
training day for installers and maintenance
operatives of automated gates took place in
Clondalkin, Dublin.
“We are particularly proud of our
exceptional reputation for offering first-class
training and do believe this is an area of
expertise for us,” explains DHF’s Head of
Commercial Operations, Patricia Sowsbery-
Stevens. “We have set a number of industry
‘first’s’, for example, becoming the very first
UK organisation to offer an official theorybased
qualification for those working in the
automated gate, industrial door and domestic
garage door sectors.”
The one-day ABBE-accredited Level 2 Award
for is approved and regulated by Ofqual, the
Government Office of Examination Regulation.
ABBE (Awarding Body of the Built
Environment) is the UK’s leading awarding
organisation providing qualifications for the
built environment. Qualifications are offered
through its network of assessment centres,
approved against a set of national criteria, laid
down by Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications,
tests and examinations in England.
But it has undoubtedly been the past four
months that have truly defined DHF’s ability
to adapt and continue to serve its membership
with regards to training. Whilst panic engulfed
much of the UK at the start of the COVID-19
crisis, DHF’s proactive team was working hard
behind the scenes putting special measures into
place to limit the potential disruption for its
learners. Just two weeks into ‘lockdown’, DHF
successfully launched its online digital training
facility, enabling its audience to purchase online
training courses that combined all elements
from the complete course. In particular, the
one-day, Level 2 Award courses in Automated
Gate & Traffic Barrier Safety and Industrial &
Garage Door Safety, were filmed and edited
to enable DHF to share knowledge with its
learners.
From 1st June, DHF reinstated its on-site
face-to-face training sessions, taking full benefit
of its spacious training academy at Tamworth.
A comprehensive risk assessment took place
ahead of welcoming its first delegates back
on site in a safe and secure environment.
Attendee numbers have now increased to 10
per session.
In recent weeks, DHF has developed a
‘Distance Learning Programme’ (DLP) delivered
via Zoom, with learners attended to by Senior
Compliance and Training Officer, Nick Perkins.
Nick has been on-hand to guide and mentor
trainees throughout the duration of their courses
with examinations completed online. This
unique undertaking has enabled those at a
distance to maintain their training obligations.
“We have been extremely successful
in identifying a healthy balance between
safety and continuing to provide value for
our members; we have achieved this,” says
Patricia. “Both face-to-face learners and those
on our DLP have been very positive about
their experience. In fact, the DLP will now
become a permanent fixture on the federation’s
training calendar. It has been imperative for
DHF to deliver a continuous provision of
training for those who must remain compliant
in spite of the disruption to ‘normal life’.
Whether face-to-face or distance learning,
and whether in Devon or Northumberland,
we have continued to put our learners first.
Furthermore, as a trade association, we are
confident that, whatever the future might
hold, we know that we can adapt quickly and
productively, whilst effectively considering the
wants and needs of our members.”
www.dhfonline.org.uk
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