“This marks a pivotal step forward for our industry,” said DHF’s Commercial Director, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens, “For too long, competence has been assumed rather than evidenced. These new frameworks set a clear, nationally recognised benchmark for what ‘good’ looks like, not just in technical ability, but in the knowledge, behaviours and experience required to work safely and effectively. DHF is proud to be part of leading this initiative, ensuring that employers, clients, and specifiers can have absolute confidence in the people they put on site.”
This milestone CLC initiative, born from the results of the new Building Regulations and the Hackitt Report, marks a significant advancement in the construction industry, and one that is set to reshape national expectations for safety, quality, and competence of individuals who operate in these sectors.
There are four frameworks, each comprises a detailed Strategy Statement, a defined Route to Competence, and a comprehensive Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB) matrix.
The door, gate and shutter system frameworks are scheduled for public release in early July, with an official launch planned for September in alignment with Fire Door Safety Week, an initiative led by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).
DHF and ADSA have also worked closely with the BWF on a complementary competence framework for timber doorsets, including both fire and non-fire-resisting variants.
Raising the bar on competence
At the heart of this initiative lies an urgent focus on what competence really means. In an industry where safety-critical systems are installed and maintained daily, the need for a competent workforce is absolutely essential. The frameworks aim to clarify expectations, provide structured career development pathways, and ensure that competence is measurable, auditable, and demonstrable.
This is more than a regulatory exercise; rather, it represents a cultural shift across the sector. With increasing demands for quality assurance, traceability, and accountability, the frameworks serve as a vital tool for raising standards and reducing risk.
Ken Price, Managing Director of the Automatic Door Suppliers Association, said, “It has been a privilege for me to work alongside my colleagues from the Door and Hardware Federation, the British Woodworking Federation, and a number of other Trade Associations to arrive at these extremely important competency frameworks. Our challenge has been to create documents that define consistent routes to competence, but that also recognise the fact that employees in our industry can come with a wide range of transferable skills from their earlier careers. We have spent many hours creating our output and have been supported tremendously by the standards development teams at the CITB whom I wish to thank."
Sector collaboration and industry-led delivery
The work was carried out under the umbrella of the Sector Led Group 10 (SLG10) for Door, Gate, and Shutter Systems (DGSS), ensuring that voices from across the industry, including manufacturers, installers, trainers, and end-users, helped shape the final product. By drawing on real-world experience and practical insight, the frameworks are not only technically rigorous but are also fit for purpose across a diverse range of environments and applications.
Influencing national standards
During the development process, DHF and ADSA teams identified critical gaps in the existing National Occupational Standards (NOS) for door, gate, and shutter systems. As a result, both associations now sit on the NOS review group along with leaders in the industry, some of whom are members of either association. Facilitated by CITB, all who contribute are playing a proactive role in reshaping future standards at a national level, and ensuring consistency, relevance, and improved safety outcomes across the UK.
Supporting the ‘Right Person, Right Card’ approach
A further benefit of the new frameworks is their alignment with CSCS card allocation, reinforcing the principle that the right qualifications and training should underpin every site role. This provides clarity for employers and clients, while giving skilled workers a clear route to recognition and progression.
A defining moment for the industry
This is, without question, a key moment for the door, gate, and shutter systems sector. The introduction of these frameworks delivers the structure and transparency the industry has long needed, a foundation for safer buildings, better outcomes, and a competent workforce.
Employers, contractors, and industry bodies are encouraged to review the new frameworks and ensure their workforce is aligned with the latest competence standards. The documents will be available shortly via the CITB website.
www.dhfonline.org.uk
Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site
>> Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog <<
You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website
Low Cost and Free Publicity - Your company can easily benefit from some publicity like the posts above for a contribution towards our layout costs (£75 to £95 plus VAT), payable in advance or you can receive the service absolutely free of charge if you advertise (see below).
We post articles up to twice a day and never delete them - we only archive them each year so that they continue to remain visible to search engines.
To have your story published - just send us your news item, logo and image(s) and we will review the material, make any necessary changes to the wording / wordcount and then advise you when it will be published.
If you are a regular advertiser in our printed and online publications, placing series bookings for adverts or subscribing to our VIP Packages, you will qualify for a specific number of free postings on this blog while you continue to advertise with us. See our media pack for more details.
Also, if you purchase one of our Online and Print Combo packages, Featured Articles or Advertorial packages shown in our media pack, posting on this blog is included in the price.
For details and rates for all of our advertising options in print and online, download our media pack contact us or visit our website.
Door Industry Journal is a trading style of Clearview Group Limited - Company No. 06999111
No comments:
Post a Comment