A future workforce is being developed for the automatic door industry with the success and popularity of an apprenticeship scheme created by the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA).
The third group of Powered Pedestrian Door Technician Apprentices is due to start South Staffordshire College in June. The course is now fully booked and places for a further course in September are starting to fill.
The initial cohort, which began its two-year apprenticeship in March 2021, is completing its end point assessments with apprentices fully qualified by the end of the year. A second group which started in September 2021 is concluding its first academic year with another to follow.
Demand for places has been tremendous. It is good to know that the industry has embraced the opportunity to develop a future workforce utilising the apprenticeship. It provides a thorough learning opportunity, combining academic study with on-the-job experience. The automatic door sector is considered niche within the wider building products and construction industry – but it is one that requires a particular set of skills and learning to demonstrate competency and meet exacting standards.
Says ADSA Managing Director Ken Price
“The nature of our business means that we have traditionally found it hard to attract new talent. Indeed, before starting on their apprenticeships, some of the candidates commented that they’d been unaware that PPD technicians ‘were a thing’.
“Automatic doors, gates and entrances may be widely used within commercial and public buildings, enabling convenience and accessibility but awareness of the businesses that make, install and maintain them may not have been as prominent as it might, which has led to a skills gap within the industry. ADSA’s efforts to professionalise it through the provision of end-to-end learning and development opportunities should help attract and retain talent for the future.
ADSA Managing Director Ken Price
In addition to the success of the apprenticeship on mainland UK, a new apprenticeship course is being launched in Northern Ireland, through South Eastern Regional College (SERC). The college will act as the industry delivery partner for the new Automated Entrances Apprenticeship which is being funded by the Department for the Economy NI.
The college is now recruiting students for an expected 15-strong cohort which will be introduced as part of a rolling programme, beginning this September. Qualifications include:
- EAL Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Technologies
- EAL Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations
Modules will comprise of engineering environment awareness, electrical installation methods, wiring and circuit protection, working safely in an engineering environment and maintaining electrical equipment/systems. Modules will be tailored to meet the needs of the industry.
Level two maths and English will also be provided for apprentices that do not already hold these qualifications.
Apprentices for the SERC course will need to be working for a company based in Northern Ireland or a UK company that works predominantly in NI.
Visit https://www.serc.ac.uk/course/2223/Automated-Entrance-Systems-Apprenticeship-NI-Level-2 for more information. Employers can arrange apprenticeships direct with the college by emailing: apprenticeships@serc.ac.uk
For more information about ADSA membership or services visit: www.adsa.org.uk or email: rachel@adsa.org.uk