64 • training
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The right
training is
the key
The key to the right architectural
ironmongery training for locksmiths
hinges on the type of work they
do, says Rachel Tipton, training &
development manager at the Guild
of Architectural Ironmongers
»»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. I joined
the organisation relatively
recently having had experience
of it in various of my previous
roles working for companies
including Union and Laidlaw.
Among the GAI’s hundreds
of company members and its
sister organisation, the Institute
of Architectural Ironmongers’
(IAI) individual members are
many locksmiths. Generally,
they either also work with
architectural ironmongery on a
day-to-day basis or have more
of a passing interest because
their work means they are
expected to have a degree of
expertise from time to time.
One of the main reasons that
attracted me to working at the
GAI was the opportunity to be
involved in, and influence, the
development of its education
portfolio. This has been built
up over 50 years and in fact, is
the only recognised programme
in the world that leads to a
Diploma in architectural
ironmongery to British and
European standards.
This intensive three year GAI
Diploma programme is offered
through blended learning –
online, coursework, residential
and in-house training courses
and students are supported
throughout their learning with
telephone help, online forums,
workshops and regional
meetings that are facilitated
around the world by the IAI.
FOUNDATION IN
HARDWARE
For the majority of
locksmiths, however, this
level of training is not usually
needed. For them it is
probably more appropriate to
consider the recently launched
Foundation in Hardware,
which gives a thorough
grounding in all the basics of
architectural ironmongery
through an online toolkit and
tests. It has been designed to
raise knowledge and standards
among those who required
who are more likely to need to
understand the fundamentals
but don’t live and breathe
ironmongery in their daily
working lives.
Take the case of well known
and respected lock and
architectural ironmongery
supplier, Carlisle Brass,
which has been in business
for almost 30 years. While
the quality of its products is
extremely important to its
reputation and its continued
business success, the company
gives great emphasis to
training its staff to ensure
they provide the highest
levels of customer service
and support. The trai