Door & Hardware Federation (DHF)’s new Building Hardware Training Programme is gaining momentum following its successful launch in July, with Access2 becoming the first DHF member to book places on the programme. Now live and available for DHF members to book, the programme provides businesses with a structured way to develop the building hardware knowledge, competence and confidence of their teams.
The programme is the UK’s first Ofqual regulated, ABBE accredited qualification for the Building Hardware Industry. Developed by building hardware manufacturers, for manufacturers, it has been created using more than 500 years of combined industry experience, with input from industry professionals who helped shape its content.
“Our industry has never had a consistent foundation of knowledge for people coming into it,” explains Russell Coldwell, Technical Director at Royde & Tucker. “The programme gives employers a structured way to induct and develop staff, and gives learners a recognised, Ofqual regulated Level 2 qualification to build a career on.”
For Richard Bromley, Vice President, Chief Technology Officer & Head of Residential at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, the programme also addresses the challenge of developing technical expertise within the sector. He highlights the gap previously created by the lack of formal, in-depth product training that could be tailored to individual business needs.
“Having an in depth, detailed Ofqual accredited training programme enables employers to develop their staff’s demonstrable competence levels towards developing industry needs such as BS 8670-2,” he said.
The importance of establishing a consistent foundation of knowledge is also touched on by Deborah Cannon, Product Manager at dormakaba:
“Sharing knowledge is one of the best ways to raise standards across our industry, and this programme helps create a consistent foundation of knowledge for everyone working in building hardware,” she says.
The programme consists of a mandatory Core Module, followed by a choice of twelve specialist Product Modules. This enables learners to develop knowledge that is directly relevant to their role and the products they work with. The qualification has also been mapped against the competency framework within the draft BS 8670-2 standard, supporting the wider industry drive to improve competence, consistency and best practice across building hardware.
“The DHF initiative will help us to produce a well-informed, skilled and industry-wide compliant workforce,” concludes Glyn Green MSc, Technical & Operations Director at Squire Locks, who believes the programme will provide an important link between industry experience and structured learning.
The Building Hardware Training Programme is currently available for DHF members, with the programme due to open to non-members in January 2027.
To find out more about the DHF Building Hardware Training Programme, visit https://bit.ly/4gfILqI
