Local Window and Door Installers First on Island of Ireland to Achieve Professional Qualification from South Eastern Regional College

A team of 7 window and door installers from Mourne Windows & Doors, based in Hilltown, County Down, are the first on the island of Ireland to achieve GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fenestration Installation which was delivered by South Eastern Regional College (SERC) approved to run the programme by GQA, the Glass Industries Specialist Awarding Body.

Karen McClure, Business Development Manager at SERC said, “We are delighted to have been able to offer this specialised professional qualification for the glazing sector.   It recognises the level of expertise required for the industry and means that employees who have perhaps been trained on the job are now able to back up their skills and experience with a recognised qualification.

She added, “This is the first time this qualification has been delivered on the island of Ireland and, given the size of the sector, we are very confident that other glazing   employers will want to avail of this training and other glazing qualifications offered by GQA through SERC.

“SERC were able to provide a flexible, bespoke course, delivered on site with minimal disruption to the day to day business commitments of Mourne Windows & Doors, allowing participants to complete the qualification in under seven (7) months.

Ian Young, Business Development Manager at Mourne Windows & Doors said, “At Mourne Windows & Doors we are very proud of our workforce and delighted that we are the first in Ireland to achieve the GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fenestration Installation. We believe this achievement has untold benefits for our workforce, the quality of our offering and the professionalism of the industry. We recognise that our industry needs to qualify our existing workforce so that the next generation can see that we are a professional industry in which to be involved, who cares about the workforce and who will provide career progression within the industry.

He added, “From a financial point of view, the business met the criteria for DfE Skills Focus Training making the assessments extremely cost effective – it really is a no brainer to get your workforce qualified and I hope more businesses will follow our lead to raise the standards within the sector.”

DfE Skills Focus Training has created greater value for money by delivering skills that learners can put into practice almost immediately on course completion.

SERC now offer a range of accredited training for the Glazing sector including:

• GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fenestration Installation
• GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fenestration Surveying
• GQA Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Fenestration Surveying
• GQA Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Glazing
• GQA Level 2 NVQ Certificate in the Fabrication of Glass Supporting Structures
• GQA Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Glass Processing
• GQA Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Glass Processing
• GQA Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Glazing