FROMTHEEDITOR
Fit Show 2017 is here ! Bigger than ever at its new home in the Birmingham NEC , the industry exhibition is set to be the best yet . With a host of new features , the trade show has attracted almost 100 new exhibitors . Our extended 34-page Fit Show preview feature from page 40 onwards is testament to the months of hard work put in by organisers and exhibitors alike .
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ON PAGE 43 , FIT SHOW FIRST TIMERS , Victorian Sliders , says it is ready to make an impact on stand Q20 , a substantial 140 square metre island stand in Hall 8 . Dekko will also be making its Fit Show debut this year to mark the latest stage of its expansion and says it has a lot to shout about on page 66 . Aluminium systems company , Reynaers , makes its first ever appearance too on stand N10 and is also a key sponsor of this year ’ s show .
Aluminium ’ s growing presence in the domestic and home improvement sectors is evident from increased representation of the sector at the show . The Council for Aluminium in Building ( CAB ) is taking a pavilion of stands for its members for the first time this year . Justin Ratcliffe , CAB CEO , outlines what you can expect from the 14-member strong 400m2 CAB Aluminium Pavilion in Hall 8 on page 70 .
This reflects the of findings from Palmer Market Research , which suggests that aluminium is on course to reach a 17-year high by 2020 and you can hear more market analysis from Robert Palmer himself from 12.50pm to 1.40pm on the 23rd May as part of the FIT Talk Interview programme .
The Glass and Glazing Federation ( GGF ) will also be hosting a series of seminars across the three-day exhibition , details of which can be found on page 58 . And on page 53 the GGF announces its plans to mark its 40th anniversary with a ‘ Life begins at 40 ’ members lounge on ‘ BIG Tuesday ’, when the Fit Show will extend its opening hours to 8pm for the first time .
Myself and the Clearview team are also looking forward to meeting everyone around the show and at stand G4 , hall 6 . Hope to see you there !
Becky , Editor
Quality through Qualifications
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THE IMPORTANCE attached to being qualified to carry out any trade is growing in the eyes of consumers . As a qualification writing and awarding body , GQA sees this first hand and has developed a set of principles to act as a foundation stone for Approved Installer Schemes operating in the window and door industry .
Adopting this set of principles , which we have called ‘ Quality through Qualifications ’ will enhance the offering of Approved Installer Scheme members in the eyes of the consumers to whom they sell .
AIMS The aim of the ‘ Quality through Qualifications ’ is to underpin and add value to existing Approved Installer Schemes by offering assurances and peace of mind to consumers that the manufacture , survey and installation of window , door and conservatory products for their homes is undertaken only by GQA qualified tradespeople or those who are registered and working towards a GQA Qualification .
‘ Quality through Qualifications ’ will help to ensure that the window , door and conservatory industry has a structured approach to the continued development of the skills , knowledge and behaviours of those employed in it .
HOW ?
Qualified People – Through those companies that embrace the principles that all installers , surveyors and maintenance engineers who form a part of their individual Approved Installer Schemes are GQA qualified or working towards a GQA Qualification which should be achieved within the appropriate timescale for the experience – 6 - 12 months for experienced workers and 12 – 24 months for Apprentices .
Apprentices and new entrants to the market will be granted a provisional ‘ registered ’ status whilst they complete their qualification , with the timescale for this being 24 months .
Product Quality – all products manufactured must comply with general industry and specific manufacturers guidance and comply with all current regulation .
Product Installation – all products are to be installed to comply with the recommendations of the product manufacturer and all current Building Regulations and legislation .
Training Plan – All Approved Installer Scheme managing companies agree to the principle that all people who form a part of their individual schemes , whether new entrants to the market or existing members / employees must be a part of an on-going CPD training programme where skills and knowledge of products and appropriate Building Regulations and legislation are updated on a regular basis .
If you would like more information come and talk to us on Stand C43 at the FIT Show .
www . gqaqualifications . com / qualitythroughqualifications
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