Denis Reed Internal
Verifier with National Windscreens (South West region) says ‘Our involvement
with the NVQ process since the mid-nineties means that we have become acutely
aware of the need to ensure technicians are equipped with the necessary skills
required to install glass in the wide variety of vehicles on the UK’s roads.
Having initially been
focussed on ensuring that each technician gains a minimum NVQ Level 2
qualification the need to refresh and update the qualifications was certainly
helped by GQA’s introduction of the Level 3 Award in Continued Competence in
Automotive Glazing. This was a new approach for us involving the need to
reassess experienced technicians in new techniques, as well as reaffirm their
knowledge of the industry.
To achieve a Level 3
NVQ, each technician is required to sit a written test under exam conditions
which some initially found a little daunting; however we feel that our approach
of issuing revision materials and then working closely with the technician
helps to ensure the best possible chance of success. On successful completion
of the knowledge tests, the technicians are then assessed while carrying out
some of the more technically challenging jobs. This approach, coupled with the
support we get from GQA and in particular Sean Hayes our External Verifier, has
worked very well for us.’
National Windscreens
employs over 800 technicians operating from 108 fitting centres located
throughout the UK. Peter Allan & Rob Roberts, both based in the South West,
are two of National Windscreens’ most experienced Regional Assessors and are
certainly kept busy ensuring that qualifications are kept up to date.
Peter who has in
excess of 30 years’ experience in the industry says ‘...it can be challenging
at times, especially with technicians that have been in the industry for many
years and may be a little stuck in their ways. Ours is a dynamic industry and
we require that all of our technicians are able to demonstrate the variety of
removal techniques needed to work on modern vehicles and that includes the use
of various wire removal equipment as well as screen installation equipment.
‘The Level 3 continued
competence qualification does just that for us i.e. it enables us to
continually assess and ensure that we keep abreast of competency levels ensuring
we satisfy the requirements of our customers and offer a high quality service.’
Sean Hayes from GQA said ‘My background is in Automotive
Glazing so I have first-hand understanding of the need for a robust, but also
cost effective and efficient means of proving current competence. This resulted
in GQA developing the Continued Competence qualification. It is great to see
Denis and the team have found the qualification beneficial to the organisation
and at the same time challenging for their technicians. National Windscreens
has consistently increased its reputation and customer base and I like to think
that GQA’s qualifications have played a part in this, I look forward to
continuing the great working relationship between National Windscreens and
GQA.’
Visit the https://www.nationalwindscreens.co.uk for further information on National Windscreens.
