Industry News
One Year On : DHF welcomes a new way of working following a year of unexpected ‘ positives ’
» ‘ THRIVING , NOT JUST SURVIVING ’ has been the mantra at DHF HQ since last March , and following a year of extraordinary change and uncertainty , to which it has responded superbly , the organisation is looking to the future .
“ If anyone had said a year ago what would have transpired throughout 2020 , I think we would never have believed them ,” says DHF ’ s Head of Commercial Operations , Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens . “ The year has continually presented challenges , but we have faced them , and we have emerged stronger than ever .”
As the first ‘ lockdown ’ was announced in March 2020 , the Tamworth-based trade association declared ‘ business as usual ’, engaging with its more than 500 members and becoming an indispensable source of information for the construction industry . It released guidance to door and gate companies , and operatives working on construction sites , outlining the key considerations regarding safety and social distancing on site .
Training , DHF ’ s raison d ’ être , continued apace with online courses launched to members in April , and face-to-face learning re-instated at DHF ’ s training academy by June . By the summer , the organisation ’ s ‘ Distance Learning Programme ’ ( DLP ) was being delivered via Zoom by Training and Compliance Officers , Nick Perkins and Steve Hill , with examinations taken via the online facility .
“ Our members have been able to access an almost-uninterrupted level of training and we have worked extremely hard behind the scenes to offer a streamlined provision ,” explains Patricia . “ Subsequently , we have kept the industry informed by delivering training that enables safe and compliant products to
be put on the market . And by offering online and distance learning , webinars and seminars , we have continued to put our members - and their needs - first .”
DHF has been praised industry-wide for its speedy response to the crisis , and in addition , its willingness to adapt and implement new practices for its employees and members . It is poised to embrace a new world and a new way of working . Indeed , recent global research confirms that more than half of all employees will work eight or more days each month from home . ( Source : HR Director )
“ For many of us , our eyes have been opened with regards to a new way of working ,” says Patricia . “ Although faceto-face interaction and collaboration is key , our members and employees have adapted to the changes that 2020 has brought , magnificently . During a year of tremendous upheaval , there have been many positives that have arisen for DHF . Our members and employees have not just demonstrated extraordinary resilience but have faced the challenges and the upturn in technology use remarkable well . It has paved the way for virtual meetings to continue and be accepted in the future , and decreased the need for unnecessary travel , a further benefit for the environment . Moving through 2021 , DHF will be utilising a more ‘ hybrid ’ model with regards to its working practices , with a mixture of face-to-face and online meetings becoming the ‘ new normal ’.”
DHF represents all the key players in the following sectors : locks and building hardware , doorsets , industrial doors and shutters , domestic garage doors and automated gates .
With the ultimate aim of maintaining and raising quality standards throughout the industry , all DHF members must meet minimum standards of competence and customer service . They all operate within a Code of Conduct governing standards of workmanship , quality assurance , training , safety , business integrity and CE marking compliance .
www . dhfonline . org . uk
MAR / APR 2021
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