Pro Installer July 2019 - Issue 76 | Page 24

24 | JULY 2019 Installer Support Installer Support is sponsored by Kayflow WEBSITE REFRESH COMPLETES BOLD NEW REBRAND The body responsible for establishing the UK’s most trusted and widely used independent ratings system for verifying the energy performance of windows and doors, British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC), has recently announced the launch of a responsive new website as part of a comprehensive review of the BFRC brand. Among the key fea- tures of the new site is a members’ area where companies can upload their own logo onto the energy labels designed to provide homeowners with the evidence that window and door products will perform as promised. Installers will also be able to upload a company profile to the BFRC site, enabling poten- tial and existing customers to find and contact them directly. In addition, System Hous- es and Manufacturers can now approve registered in- stallers to use their product licences and they will soon be able to download train- ing packs via the website to help explain the benefits of BFRC energy ratings and how to use them to win more work. Alongside the website updates, the BFRC has undertaken a wider brand review to help further en- hance the vital role it plays in the fenestration supply chain, and have since been unveiling their enhanced strategy to support manu- facturers and installers to build advantage through performance ratings. The BFRC has launched its powerful, refreshed brand aesthetics, incor- porating the new ‘Proven Performance’ slogan, provid- ing the fenestration supply chain with a strong image to help promote the benefits for using BFRC ratings when advising homeown- ers on the best-performing products for their needs. www.bfrc.org EXTENDED TRAINING SUPPORT FOR APPROVED INSTALLERS FENSA has extended its support services for Approved Installers by partnering with Solvo Vir to provide accredited training and apprenticeships in a number of UK areas. The deal follows the awarding of con- tracts to provide such schemes funded by the European Social Fund, co-funded by the Educa- tion and Skills Funding Agency, a programme designed to deliver responsive workplace learning courses in key geographical are- as, to meet individual, economic and regional needs. Solvo Vir’s trainers and asses- sors will work with FENSA to provide high quality workplace training and apprenticeship schemes, through an initial agreement to run for 12 months from May 2019. The areas covered include Tees Valley, Humberside, Lincolnshire, The Marches (Staffordshire), Here- fordshire and Shropshire, includ- ing Telford. The courses to be provided to FENSA Approved Installers will include the following: Diploma in Fenestration Installa- tion; L2 Certificate in the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Domestic Dwellings; Certificate in Wall and Floor Tiling; Diploma in Plastering (Construction); Diploma in Wood Occupations; Diploma in Cladding Occupations; Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping; Mental Health and Suicide Awareness in the Construction Industry; and Certificate in Introduction to Energy. Alongside these courses Solvo Vir, are offering Apprenticeship programmes in Management, Ac- countancy, Recruitment, Business Administration and Customer Ser- vice across the whole of England. These programmes can be either fully funded via the Apprentice- ship Levy or 95% funded by the government. FENSA Managing Director Anda Gregory says the Training and Apprenticeship programme is further evidence of the com- mitment by FENSA to provide pro-active support for its install- er base: “We are committed to driving work to FENSA Approved Installers by increasing the de- mand by homeowners for FENSA Approved Installations. We have a responsibility therefore to also ensure FENSA Installers have the appropriate skills with which to respond to this growing demand,” explained Anda. “Our partners Solvo Vir are highly skilled at pro- viding training programmes and we look forward to working with them to grow the glazing industry skill base. This is just the latest in a long line of benefits available exclusively to FENSA Approved Installers, helping them to win more business thanks to the quali- ty of their work.” Many FENSA Approved Installers are expected to qualify for substantial funding for small business apprenticeships under the scheme and any company in the geographical areas covered that wish to learn more should go to www. solvovir.co.uk/apprenticeships, or email Cat Doyle at cat.doyle@solvovir.co.uk