James Downey, UK Training Manager at BFT Automation, explores the value of training at all stages of a tradesperson’s career, including advice for managers in identifying training needs and how to overcome common barriers to pursuing training opportunities.
“It’s easy to assume that training is primarily for builders and installers in the early stages of learning their trade, but in recent years there’s been a growing recognition that anyone at any point in their career can benefit from the chance to expand their skills.
When a builder or installer hasn’t been formally trained in how to use the products they rely on, they can sometimes run into challenges during installations in new and different environments. It’s often the case that learning some simple measures can make such processes far easier, but it’s hard to gain that level of knowledge from a product manual alone.
These kind of scenarios can happen throughout an installer’s career, especially when new products are launched or current products have been improved, and some simple training can make a big difference.
Similarly, it’s important to keep on top of new regulations and guidelines and the implications they can have on an installer’s day-to-day work.
The value of upskilling
You might be looking to diversify into a new area and expand your services, or you might manage a team who could benefit from the chance to learn something new or refresh their skills. That’s certainly something I see through my own work as a trainer – it’s not just apprentices or recently qualified installers who are coming forward to boost their knowledge.
For example, someone may be very experienced in installing automatic gates, but hasn’t had any experience in working with bollards and can see the value in learning this skill as a means of expanding their business offering.
Sometimes they may have been inspired to explore a completely different path. I recently worked with a tree surgeon who observed installers fitting gates and thought it might be something he could do. He’s now not only fitting automatic gates but is making his own posts from the trees he’s had to take down to hold intercoms.
Tackling common obstacles
Returning to a classroom environment can feel intimidating for some, especially if they’re at the stage in their careers where their time in formal education has long passed. They may be worried about showing any gaps in their knowledge and whether they’ll be able to keep up with the pace of learning on a course.
With this in mind, it’s important to look for providers who offer a learning environment which works for you. A relaxed, friendly approach will help everyone taking part to feel more supported.
Above all, training shouldn’t follow too rigid a format. While an installer, or their manager, may have identified specific skills they need to be trained on, it’s important to allow flexibility for trainees to explore areas where they’d like to develop. Training should move at the pace of the individual, so that those who need more time to practice their skills are given that chance.
For example, at BFT Automation, we offer courses at three levels, with an introduction to automation and products at Level 1, advanced engineers’ courses at Level 2, plus a specialist training level including anti-terrorism bollards and pedestrian speed gates. We ask applicants to flag particular areas they’d like to cover, but once we get going, I tend to find that trainees will often ask about other areas too so we can spend some time on those as well.
After training we offer an open door for learners to keep in touch with us for any further support they need in consolidating what they’ve learned once a course is complete.
Wherever you might be in your career, the value of learning something new, or addressing any knowledge gaps, should be embraced. There are often opportunities for installers to make the most of new developments in technology and to keep pace with demand for new specialisms.
Whatever the particular need might be, investing some time and effort on training can pay dividends.”
To find out more about the BFT UK Training Academy, visit Training Academy – Bft Automation UK’.
BFT Automation is part of the Somfy group. For more information visit BFT Automation UK | Gate Automation Specialists – Bft Automation UK’.
