20 | OCTOBER 2019
Industry Associations
THE GUILD OF ARCHITECTURAL
IRONMONGERS (GAI)
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) is the only trade body in
the UK that represents the interests of the whole architectural ironmongery
industry - architectural ironmongers, wholesalers and manufacturers.
Its education pro-
gramme has been devel-
oped over 50 years and
is the only internationally
recognised architectural
ironmongery qualification
to British and European
standards.
Learners on the education
programme have come from
27 different countries, with
nearly half of them based
outside the UK, including
from Sri Lanka, Canada, In-
dia, China, South Africa and
the Gulf.
Rachel Tipton, GAI educa-
tion manager, said:
“Year on year the edu-
cation programme contin-
ues to grow, particularly
overseas where nearly half
of the 2018/19 cohort of
learners were based. We
are continually developing
our courses to ensure that
they are up to date with the
ever-evolving architectural
ironmongery product offer-
ings and legislation.
“The GAI education
programme is suitable for
architectural ironmongers,
wholesalers, manufactur-
ers and trade counter staff;
anyone who encounters
door hardware on a regular
basis and wants to ensure
they are always giving the
best possible advice to their
customers.
“No other qualification
offers such a broad knowl-
edge and understanding of
ironmongery. The GAI is
very proud of the Diploma
programme and its status as
the most recognised qualifi-
cation in the industry.”
Foundation in
Hardware
The GAI education
programme starts with the
Foundation in Hardware
module, an online intro-
ductory course designed
to raise knowledge and
standards among those who
need to understand the
basics but don’t need to live
and breathe ironmongery in
their day-to-day jobs.
It is ideal for those who
are not involved in the
detail of architectural iron-
mongery in their day-to-
day job but want to gain a
basic understanding of the
industry.
Certificate in
Architectural
Hardware (CiAH)
The CiAH consists of
two stages with 24 edu-
cation modules covering
everything an architectural
ironmonger is required to
know, giving students a
thorough understanding of
the what, how and when
of ironmongery with this
self-led, online course and
examination.
CiAH Stage 1
Stage 1 provides a good
footing into ironmongery,
covering subjects such as
closing devices, locks and
The GAI is very proud of
‘ the
Diploma programme
and its status as the most
recognised qualification
in the industry
’
Rachel Tipton, GAI education manager
latches, fixings and ba-
sic scheduling. Learners
who complete Stage 1 are
fully competent in making
informed decisions when
working with particular
products and materials, as
well as having a good un-
derstanding of best practic-
es and industry standards.
CiAH Stage 2
Stage 2 takes learners
to the next level, showing
them how to apply product
and industry knowledge. It
also gives a more in-depth
understanding of the archi-
tectural hardware industry
and its vast components
such as, fire door hardware,
access control systems,
intermediate scheduling and
more.
GAI Diploma
Once the CiAH has been
completed, students may
choose to continue their
studies by enrolling for the
GAI Diploma.
This stage focuses entirely
on the skills and learning
needed for scheduling the
architectural ironmongery,
electric hardware and key
control for a project, and is
of particular importance to
those architectural ironmon-
gers working on projects
being built to UK and
European standards across
the globe.
Jamie Reid, a security
sales representative from
Allgood Trio, (pictured
adjacent with Sir Ranulph
Fiennes and past GAI pres-
ident Maria Powell) com-
pleted the GAI education
programme in 2016.
“I use the knowledge
I’ve gained from the CiAH
and the GAI Diploma every
day. It gives you a broad
overview of the all door and
window hardware products
across the whole industry,
not just the sector your
company specialises in.”
Whether the project
involves working with an
architect, builder, joinery
contractor, building manag-
er or a homeowner, the Di-
ploma will give students the
confidence and competence
to discuss the ironmon-
gery requirements for any
project, including the ability
to write accurate hardware
specifications.
Once they have com-
pleted the Diploma, they
become a DipGAI, an in-
dustry recognised symbol of
professionalism.
The 2019/20 education
programme prospectus has
been published on the GAI
website, outlining the quali-
fications, course content and
training support available. It
also gives further informa-
tion on becoming a Regis-
tered Architectural Iron-
monger (RegAI) through
the Continued Professional
Development (CPD) pro-
gramme. The programme
offers flexibility for busy
professionals and far more
opportunity to gain CPD
points.
Enrolments are open from
now until 20 December 2019.
www.gai.org.uk