Pro Installer June 2018 - Issue 63 | Page 40

40 | JUNE 2018 Skills Motoring The launch of a new industry initiative which addresses the growing skills shortage PEUGEOT WINS BEST CONVERSION RANGE IN TRADE VAN DRIVER AWARDS In November 2017, The Telegraph newspaper reported on the lack of skills and labour shortages within the construction industry. It provided information from a survey conducted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors highlighting how the issue had gradually worsened over the last five-years, limiting building activities. As a major part of the construction sector, the Fenestration Industry has also begun to feel the effects of insufficient skills and labour; with the increase in demand from Government to produce more new homes and glaz- ing structures being spec- ified as a favoured choice for commercial buildings - there is a need to address these major challenges. GQA Qualifications, the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Awarding Body is backing a new industry campaign - Building Our Skills in the Fenestration Industry. The initiative will be launched to the public from the 1st June and will focus on; a much-needed and long overdue pro-ac- tive promotional campaign of the industry, the wide variety of different career paths available to new and young entrants, an aware- ness of the qualifications which can be achieved to give them learning, life- skills and ultimately career opportunities and financial rewards. Mick Clayton CEO of GQA Qualifications, the lead promoter of the cam- paign commented: “The quest to recognise and develop skills within the industry has been high on the agenda of GQA for a very long time. The indus- try is increasingly reporting the difficulties it has re- cruiting new young people, our focus has turned to cre- ating a campaign to address the problem directly.” PEUGEOT has won ‘Best Conversion Range’ in the 2018 Trade Van Driver Awards for its new PEUGE- OT Built for Business LCV conversions range, launched just two months ago. The award was presented as thousands of visitors began arriving at the 2018 CV Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk Show on Tuesday 24th April at the Birmingham NEC. According to the Trade Van Driver Awards judges, “The professional trades need products that fit their jobs perfectly. We found PEUGEOT had responded to market requirements with well-thought-out and well-executed transport solutions, demonstrating a deep understanding of the professional trades’ wants and needs.” “PEUGEOT launched the Built for Business range earlier this year to satisfy the need for a comprehen- sive LCV conversions range available from the PEUGEOT Dealer and Business Centre network”, says Richard Abbott, Head of National Specialist Fleets: “All Built for Business conversions are covered by a three- year/100,000-mile warranty and are included in the PEUGEOT Boxer Built for Business product guide. The range currently includes Tip- per, Dropside, Luton, Box, Curtainside and Low-Floor Luton models and we will monitor customer demand for further conversions, adding them as required. We feel honoured that Built for Business has won this award so soon after its launch.” The PEUGEOT Built for Business conversions range is available direct from the PEUGEOT Dealer and Busi- ness Centre networks. www.business.peugeot.co.uk/ conversions CRAFTER WARRANTY EXTENDED TO THREE YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE Volkswagen Commer- cial Vehicles has upgraded the warranty on its mul- ti-award-winning Crafter model from three-years and up to 60,000 miles to three-years and unlimited mileage. The move offers peace of mind for operators whose vehicles regularly exceed 60,000 miles. The warranty, which is composed of a two-year manufacturer warranty and third year Van Centre guarantee protects against the failure of most mechan- ical and electrical compo- nents due to manufacturing defects. Thanks to the upgraded warranty and wide variety of models now available, including panel vans and chassis cabs with gross vehicle weights from 3.0 to 5.0 tonnes, as well as front- rear- and four-wheel drive options and manual and automatic gearboxes, there has never been a better time to buy a Crafter. In addition, several offers are currently available from Volkswagen Van Centres, making the van more affordable than ever, and easy to budget for thanks to competitive monthly payments on finance plans. Deposit contributions are also available on contract hire and finance lease Commenting on the change, Trevor Hodgson-Phil- lips, Head of Service and Parts for Volkswagen Com- mercial Vehicles said: “Our Working With You promise means listening to our cus- tomers and providing the af- tersales products and services which keep them moving, so they can keep their business- es moving forward.” www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk