It is easy to see training as something to complete and then move on from. Many of us receive a webinar invitation or a reminder for a refresher course and think we already know what we need to know.
Yet in an industry where products directly protect people’s property or lives, keeping skills and knowledge current is not an optional exercise. It is a professional responsibility.
DHF’s Commercial Director, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens, explains more...
Competence is at the very heart of safe practice. The Building Safety Act has made that expectation very clear. Those involved in the design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of safety-critical products must be able to demonstrate that they are qualified, capable, and committed to ongoing learning. It is no longer enough to say we are experienced. We must also be able to prove it through continuous development and a genuine understanding of our obligations.
Across our sector, competence frameworks now guide how we work. They ensure that every individual, from office teams and manufacturers to installers and maintenance engineers, understands their responsibilities and the standards required. These frameworks help create a culture where safety and compliance are shared priorities rather than box-ticking exercises.
The world does not stand still, and neither do regulations or standards. They change as technology evolves and as new lessons emerge. What was correct five years ago might no longer meet the current benchmark. A single overlooked update can lead to costly mistakes or, in the worst cases, real harm. Keeping knowledge up to date is therefore not just a matter of compliance but a matter of responsibility.
At DHF, we continually refine and expand our training offering to reflect this responsibility. Each course, webinar, and module is designed to deliver a clear, understanding that enables people to apply best practice with confidence. We want to make learning accessible, relevant, and enjoyable.
Continuing Professional Development does not always mean stepping away from work for a full day. It can be as simple as joining an online session, reading an industry update, or watching a short presentation that challenges the way you think about safety, sustainability, or innovation. The important thing is to remain curious. Small moments of learning, repeated often, strengthen professional confidence and help build a safer industry for everyone. Keeping skills current is about more than compliance paperwork. It speaks of pride in one’s craft. It means knowing that every product you touch has been manufactured, installed, or maintained to the best possible standard. It also demonstrates credibility, and employers and clients are increasingly seeking proof of recent training and certification. Having that record demonstrates commitment, care, and competence. It can open doors, literally and figuratively, in an increasingly competitive market.
For professionals installing or maintaining doors, gates, and shutters, demonstrating competence has never been more important. Major organisations such as Amazon and London Heathrow Airport now expect clear evidence of skills, whether for initial installation or ongoing maintenance. The new competence framework from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) provides exactly that, setting a clear standard for the industry.
The framework, now available in the Completed Installer Frameworks section of the CLC Competence webpage, has been shaped over 18 months in collaboration with the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) under Sector Lead Group 10 (SLG10). DHF has been at the heart of its development. The framework assisted with the updating of the National Occupational Standard (NOS) to reflect the current skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours required across the sector. It provides a structured approach, including a Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB) matrix, clear pathways to competence, and practical guidance for implementation. The framework supports alignment with the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023, and applies across installation, maintenance, servicing, and associated roles. This initial publication establishes a robust benchmark for the sector and offers essential guidance. For DHF members, it is a tool to demonstrate professional standards, enhance credibility, and ensure compliance with evolving industry expectations.
At DHF, we never stop reviewing our materials, consulting experts, and developing new ways to support those who rely on us. Our aim is to help our industry stay informed, skilled, and confident in the work it delivers. Of course, training takes time, but it is time well spent. That one morning refresher, that hour-long webinar, or that new course may not only strengthen your knowledge but could also be the difference between a product that performs and one that fails. And when we invest in our own learning, we invest in the safety of others. Staying current is not just a professional duty. It is the right thing to do.
www.dhfonline.org.uk
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Competence is at the very heart of safe practice. The Building Safety Act has made that expectation very clear. Those involved in the design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of safety-critical products must be able to demonstrate that they are qualified, capable, and committed to ongoing learning. It is no longer enough to say we are experienced. We must also be able to prove it through continuous development and a genuine understanding of our obligations.
Across our sector, competence frameworks now guide how we work. They ensure that every individual, from office teams and manufacturers to installers and maintenance engineers, understands their responsibilities and the standards required. These frameworks help create a culture where safety and compliance are shared priorities rather than box-ticking exercises.
The world does not stand still, and neither do regulations or standards. They change as technology evolves and as new lessons emerge. What was correct five years ago might no longer meet the current benchmark. A single overlooked update can lead to costly mistakes or, in the worst cases, real harm. Keeping knowledge up to date is therefore not just a matter of compliance but a matter of responsibility.
At DHF, we continually refine and expand our training offering to reflect this responsibility. Each course, webinar, and module is designed to deliver a clear, understanding that enables people to apply best practice with confidence. We want to make learning accessible, relevant, and enjoyable.
Continuing Professional Development does not always mean stepping away from work for a full day. It can be as simple as joining an online session, reading an industry update, or watching a short presentation that challenges the way you think about safety, sustainability, or innovation. The important thing is to remain curious. Small moments of learning, repeated often, strengthen professional confidence and help build a safer industry for everyone. Keeping skills current is about more than compliance paperwork. It speaks of pride in one’s craft. It means knowing that every product you touch has been manufactured, installed, or maintained to the best possible standard. It also demonstrates credibility, and employers and clients are increasingly seeking proof of recent training and certification. Having that record demonstrates commitment, care, and competence. It can open doors, literally and figuratively, in an increasingly competitive market.
For professionals installing or maintaining doors, gates, and shutters, demonstrating competence has never been more important. Major organisations such as Amazon and London Heathrow Airport now expect clear evidence of skills, whether for initial installation or ongoing maintenance. The new competence framework from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) provides exactly that, setting a clear standard for the industry.
The framework, now available in the Completed Installer Frameworks section of the CLC Competence webpage, has been shaped over 18 months in collaboration with the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) under Sector Lead Group 10 (SLG10). DHF has been at the heart of its development. The framework assisted with the updating of the National Occupational Standard (NOS) to reflect the current skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours required across the sector. It provides a structured approach, including a Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB) matrix, clear pathways to competence, and practical guidance for implementation. The framework supports alignment with the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023, and applies across installation, maintenance, servicing, and associated roles. This initial publication establishes a robust benchmark for the sector and offers essential guidance. For DHF members, it is a tool to demonstrate professional standards, enhance credibility, and ensure compliance with evolving industry expectations.
At DHF, we never stop reviewing our materials, consulting experts, and developing new ways to support those who rely on us. Our aim is to help our industry stay informed, skilled, and confident in the work it delivers. Of course, training takes time, but it is time well spent. That one morning refresher, that hour-long webinar, or that new course may not only strengthen your knowledge but could also be the difference between a product that performs and one that fails. And when we invest in our own learning, we invest in the safety of others. Staying current is not just a professional duty. It is the right thing to do.
www.dhfonline.org.uk
Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site
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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
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