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For DHF members, the financial case is compelling. Eligible employers can save up to £11,300 per apprentice, making it significantly more affordable to recruit, train and develop the next generation of skilled engineers. By combining apprenticeship funding with an industry-recognised NVQ and specialist DHF training, the programme removes much of the financial burden from employers while providing a clear pathway to developing competent, qualified people with the skills the industry needs.
The package has been negotiated specifically for DHF members and brings together the apprenticeship, NVQ and DHF training, with a combined value of £11,300+ VAT per apprentice. So, members are potentially getting the NVQ and DHF training for FREE
For levy-registered members and those aged under 25, the package can be fully funded. For candidates aged over 25, employers contribute 5% towards the apprenticeship cost only.
A route into the industry
The apprenticeship is intended to support both employers looking to bring new people into the sector and businesses seeking to develop existing employees. It is suitable for school and college leavers, new entrants, employees moving into engineering maintenance roles and existing staff undertaking substantial new learning.
It can also support people already working in installation, servicing and maintenance environments. The programme runs for approximately 12 to 18 months and combines tutor-led online learning with practical, workplace-based development and assessment.
Apprentices spend one day a week undertaking online learning with specialist engineering tutors, while their practical skills are developed and assessed in the workplace. This combination means apprentices are not simply gaining theoretical knowledge but are able to apply what they learn in a real working environment, building the skills and experience required for their role.
Train’d Ups, Chief Commercial Officer, Jamie McVey said, “The door, gate and shutter industry faces many of the same challenges we see across engineering more broadly: an ageing workforce, increasing skills shortages and a need to attract and develop the next generation of skilled professionals. Working alongside DHF, we have been able to bring together a unique package that provides members with access to high-quality engineering training while also incorporating the specialist occupational competence and safety qualifications that are so important to the sector.”
The programme brings together five elements: the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship (Maintenance Pathway), the EAL Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Operations (Knowledge), the EAL Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (Skills), the NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Specialist Installation Occupations (Construction) – Door, Shutter, Gate or Barrier Installation, Maintenance or Repair and a fully accredited DHF Level 2 qualification of the learners’ choice, all in one package at no additional cost.
The NOCN qualification remains the recognised competence qualification for the sector. It is delivered through DHF, and based on workplace competence, with apprentices demonstrating their abilities through real installation and maintenance activities. The qualification also provides the recognised route to applying for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card, allowing individuals to work independently on a construction site.
The specialist pathway covers areas including servicing and maintaining systems, commissioning activities and the installation of door, gate and shutter systems, alongside repair and maintenance activities. For employers, this provides a way to develop engineering capability while maintaining the occupational competence standards already recognised within the sector.
Supporting employers as well as apprentices
DHF members also have access to a free apprentice recruitment service from Train'd Up. This is intended to remove one of the practical barriers to taking on an apprentice: finding suitable candidates. The service includes advertising vacancies, attracting candidates, initial screening, interview support, funding eligibility checks, onboarding and matching employers with suitable apprentices. Once an apprentice is in place, they receive ongoing support throughout the programme.
Supporting employers as well as apprentices
DHF members also have access to a free apprentice recruitment service from Train'd Up. This is intended to remove one of the practical barriers to taking on an apprentice: finding suitable candidates. The service includes advertising vacancies, attracting candidates, initial screening, interview support, funding eligibility checks, onboarding and matching employers with suitable apprentices. Once an apprentice is in place, they receive ongoing support throughout the programme.
A dedicated Engineering Assessor provides workplace assessment visits every eight weeks, together with practical observations, portfolio support, coaching, mentoring and preparation for the End Point Assessment. Formal progress reviews involving the apprentice, employer and assessor take place every 12 weeks. This gives employers regular visibility of an apprentice's progress and provides opportunities to identify additional support or development needs.
The package also addresses two concerns that have made some members reluctant to send employees on the NVQ: the cost of the qualification and the risk that an employee could leave after gaining the skills and qualification. By bringing the apprenticeship, NVQ and DHF training together, the package is intended to reduce the cost for members while helping them develop and retain skilled employees.
Making use of apprenticeship funding
The programme also provides employers with access to government apprenticeship funding. Levy-paying employers can use available funds in their Apprenticeship Service Account to pay for apprenticeship training and End Point Assessment. For eligible non-levy employers, the government typically funds 95% of training costs, with potentially no employer contribution for eligible apprentices under the age of 25.
The package also addresses two concerns that have made some members reluctant to send employees on the NVQ: the cost of the qualification and the risk that an employee could leave after gaining the skills and qualification. By bringing the apprenticeship, NVQ and DHF training together, the package is intended to reduce the cost for members while helping them develop and retain skilled employees.
Making use of apprenticeship funding
The programme also provides employers with access to government apprenticeship funding. Levy-paying employers can use available funds in their Apprenticeship Service Account to pay for apprenticeship training and End Point Assessment. For eligible non-levy employers, the government typically funds 95% of training costs, with potentially no employer contribution for eligible apprentices under the age of 25.
For DHF members, the funding support is complemented by the NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma and the chosen DHF Level 2 Safety qualification for those that take part in the apprenticeship, while DHF continues to provide specialist sector support.
Developing skills for the future
Apprenticeships offer far more than just an entry route for young people. For businesses within the door, gate and shutter sector, they provide a structured way to develop people with the knowledge, practical skills and occupational competence needed within the industry. The programme is not limited to the younger workforce and can also provide an opportunity for existing employees to gain new skills, recognised qualifications and a clear route to competence.
With the new programme launching in September, DHF members can use the apprenticeship route to support succession planning, develop their existing workforce or bring new talent into engineering roles. The Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship is therefore designed to help employers develop their future workforce while maintaining the recognised standards that underpin competence across the sector.
DHF members interested in recruiting a new apprentice or developing an existing employee can register their interest and arrange a meeting with Train'd Up to discuss recruitment, funding eligibility, programme start dates and onboarding.
DHF’s CEO Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens said, “For some time, our industry has recognised the need to develop the next generation of skilled engineers and create a clearer, more structured route into the sector. This new programme is a significant step forward in addressing that challenge.
“For the first time, employers can access an apprenticeship pathway that combines broader engineering skills with the specialist occupational competence our industry requires. Importantly, it brings together the apprenticeship, the recognised NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma and DHF’s sector-specific safety training within one structured programme.
“This package has been many years in the making, and over the last two years, DHF has worked with Train’d Up to bring these elements together and get this over the line for our members. We know that cost has been one of the barriers to putting employees through the NVQ, alongside the concern that an employee could leave after gaining the skills and qualification. We wanted to find a way to address both issues while giving members a practical and affordable route to develop their people.
“With apprenticeship funding covering the cost for levy-paying employers and up to 95% for eligible non-levy payers, this represents a real opportunity for businesses to invest in new and existing employees while building the skilled, competent workforce our industry will need for the future.
“The package can give members access to the NVQ and DHF training for free or for very little investment, depending on their circumstances. It is not limited to younger employees. It gives existing staff a route to recognised competence and supports businesses in retaining the skills they have invested in. I am very pleased that we have been able to negotiate this package for DHF members and believe it can help raise the standard of competence across our sector.
“We are extremely proud to have developed this programme with Train’d Up and to be able to offer DHF members a practical, almost free solution to one of the most important challenges facing our sector.”
DHF members can register their interest today: https://bit.ly/3UZUxyc
Find out more about the programme: https://bit.ly/4qIdQbn
www.dhfonline.org.uk
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