1.0

Starting the Process

The first move is to establish the needs of the Company:

(a)

How many employees need to be trained?

(b)

What experience do they have?

Long term experienced employees may take significantly less time and resource to train to NVQ level than new starters.

(c)

What internal resource does the Company have for training?

Larger companies often have dedicated training resources internally. Smaller ones may require outside assistance in organising training.

(d)

How committed is the management of the Company to achieving the goals?

ATA will assist in this process and can advise on a suitable structure to the training programme.

If a company decides to commit itself to NVQ training the first step is to formally structure their needs into a practical programme based on the answers above and based on the financial resources and practical constraints within the business.

Once this programme has been established the procedures can begin.

2.0

What does NVQ Assessment Involve?

The essence of NVQ assessment is that it is workplace based ie. there should be minimal requirement for employees to go off site.

There are essentially two appropriate NVQ qualifications available:

a)

For factory Fabricators - NVQ Level 2 in the Production of Glass Supporting Structures

And

b)

For Installers - NVQ Level 2 in Fenestration Installation and Surveying.

There is also a Level 3 NVQ in this subject which is a more advanced qualification intended for those who supervise others in installation activities.

Each NVQ requires the employee to demonstrate over a period of time to an approved Assessor that he/she has a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of their job and is fully competent to carry out all activities required by their job. The Assessors are approved by the Glass Qualifications Authority (GQA) to do this task.

Companies may wish to get their own personnel trained as Assessors or alternatively they could pay for Assessors to be supplied by ATA. There are many advantages of having your own in-house Assessors, not the least of which is a saving in cost and more flexibility in the training programme.

3.0

The Process for the employee

Once a training strategy has been agreed by the company the next stage is to register the individual employee on the appropriate course.

The cost of registration is £105 per person.

This includes the provision of the NVQ documentation required to record the employees progress throughout the training period.

The NVQ is divided into modules.

In the case of fabrication (the Glass Supporting Fabrication NVQ) there are nine modules to choose from. The first four are mandatory but the employee can then choose two out of the remaining five to complete the course.

In the case of installers there are 13 units.

Three are mandatory and the employee then chooses a further three from the remaining ten (with some restrictions).

The units include the following modules/subjects:

3.1

NVQ Level 2 - Production of Glass Supporting Structures.

Mandatory Units

Unit 1

Maintain Health and Safety in the working environment.

Unit 2

Contribute to the effectiveness of the organisation.

Unit 3

Handle products and materials.

Unit 4

Set up and operate equipment.

Optional Units

Two units to be chosen but one must be either Unit 6 or Unit 7.

Unit 5

Process glass supporting frames and structures.

Unit 6

Fabricate glass supporting frames and structures by joining.

Unit 7

Fabricate glass supporting frames and structures by assembly.

Unit 8

Prepare products for storage and delivery.

3.2

NVQ Level 2 - Fenestration Installation and Surveying

Mandatory Units.

Unit 1

Maintain Health and Safety in the working environment.

Unit 2

Confirm specifications for the installation.

Unit 3

Contribute to the effectiveness of the organisation.

Optional Units

Three Units exclusively from Groups A, B or C.

Group A

Unit 4 + two from 5, 6, or 7.

Group B

Any three from Units 5, 6, 8 or 9.

Group C

Units 10 + 11 and either 12 or 13.

Unit 4

Install window and door units.

Unit 5

Handle products and materials.

Unit 6

Prepare for installation of glass supporting frames and structures.

Unit 7

Prepare apertures for installation of glass supporting frames and units.

Unit 8

Assemble glass, supporting frames.

Unit 9

Install panels into glass supporting frames and units.

Unit 10

Produce specifications for basic installations.

Unit 11

Specify installation requirements for basic installation.

Unit 12

Determine the work to meet the customers’ requirements.

Unit 13

Monitor the quality of an installation

More detail on the contents of these units can be obtained from the documentation supplied by GQA.

The employee has to build a portfolio of evidence that he/she has the knowledge and skills required in each of the modules he/she undertakes.

The portfolio is reviewed at intervals by the NVQ Assessor who will examine the written evidence in the portfolio and will interrogate the employee regarding that evidence. If the Assessor agrees that the employee can demonstrate satisfactorily that he/she has this knowledge then he/she will be recommended for the award of an NVQ Certificate.

4.0

How long does it take?

There is no set timetable as it depends upon the experience, ability and dedication of the employee. Typically a very experienced employee should be able to attain the qualification in two months, but six months would be more likely. If the employee is a new entry a period of two years may be appropriate.

Installation NVQ only:

It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure he/she meets the Assessor on the pre-arranged dates on site. Otherwise this will delay the completion of the NVQ, and increase costs for further assessment visits.

5.0

Is the training in-house?

This can vary according to the resources of the Company.

Typically Health and Safety Training for Installers is undertaken by the employee sitting the standard touch screen test available through the C.I.T.B. Success in this will enable to employee to confirm he/she has completed part of the Mandatory Unit 1 of the NVQ.

Training for Fabricators including Health and Safety will be undertaken on the Company’s premises.

Some off-site training such as Product Knowledge courses will be offered, usually free of any direct charge, by the system supplier companies to their dealers. This knowledge is essential to some of the modules.

In the case of installers, apart from the mandatory Health and Safety test for Unit 1, the installers would be advised to undertake the CWCT Installers Certificate course offered by CWCT Approved Training Centres.

These courses are in two parts:

Part 1 - Architectural Glazing. This is a general course on materials, components, storage, construction types, sealing, drainage and interfaces. This takes three days and costs £180 including initial registration.

Part 2 is a two day product specific course on Curtain Walling installation and includes setting out, working at heights, wall assemblies, brackets and fixings.

The cost of Part 2 is £120.

The course is open to all Fixers and Installers whether they are employees, self employed or sub-contract. No specific educational standards are required but for Part 1 certification Installers must have at least two years relevant site experience, a basic knowledge of site practice and must hold a current CITB Health and Safety Test Certificate.

Applicants without the two years experience can apply for a Trainee Registration Card which is valid for two years.

Part 1 must be gained prior to undertaking Part 2.

ATA believe achievement of these Certificates is essential as part of the overall NVQ qualification and is the groundwork for all installers wishing to demonstrate knowledge and capability.

Installers gaining Part 2 will have been trained on one system company’s products and his/her certificate will record that. It is possible for an Installer to add further endorsements to that for knowledge of other systems, but he/she will have to complete further product specific training with the appropriate system company.

6.0

The Employee’s Portfolio

In all NVQs the employee has to construct a portfolio demonstrating his knowledge and competency of the work activity he/she is undertaking. There is no formal examination required, only the accumulation of evidence to verify the employee is competent in carrying out the particular task, in accordance with the NVQ unit requirement.

Appendix 1 to 4 illustrates some of the control documents used to monitor candidates progress. A fully detailed set of documents can be obtained on CD from the ATA.

7.0

The Costs

Typical cost to the Employer would be:

Fabricator

Installer

a)

NVQ Registration/Documentation and Certificate

£105

£105

b)

CWCT Installers Course

-

£300

c)

Assessment of NVQ

(This is usually £400 per visit to the place of employment. At least 4 visits would be required, but it is possible to assess more than one employee on each visit so the number taking part would be crucial.)

Avg. cost £800

£800

d)

CITB Health and Safety Test

-

£ 35

e)

CSCS Card

-

£ 20

--------

--------

Average Total Cost

£905

£1,260

In addition to the above fixed charges there will be the cost to the employer of wages, accommodation, travelling and other incidentals relating to the attendance of off-site courses.

In the case of self employed Installers there is also the cost of lost time and wages.

* The cost does not cover Plant and Equipment Training (Scissor lift etc.)

8.

Grants

There are numerous grants available, but these vary according to employers circumstances and location. ATA are currently attempting to create a comprehensive list of all grants available.

The primary source would be through CITB if the Company is within Scope (ie contributes to CITB).

It is possible to come to arrangements with Main Contractors to tap into their CITB Training Funds if the Company is not in Scope.

Local Education and Learning Centres are also a good source.

9.0

Further Information

Telephone

Fax

e-mail

Web Site

ATA

01225 383875

01225 386556

info@aluminiumtraining.org.uk

www.aluminiumtraining.org.uk

CWCT

01225 826541

01225 826556

cwct@bath.ac.uk

www.cwct.co.uk