Architectural ironmongers, locksmiths and builders’ merchant staff can now enrol on the 2017-18 education programme for qualifications in the door and window hardware industry. The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers’ (GAI) new prospectus covers the Foundation in Hardware, the Certificate in Architectural Hardware and the GAI Diploma. More than 450 learners are expected onto the programme this year.
The GAI says that the syllabus has undergone major changes to reflect the Guild’s growing global presence. With just under half of learners coming from overseas, it is important that all students can access their modules and learning resources anywhere. This increase in overseas interest led to the transition to an online learning platform in 2015.
Rachel Tipton, training and development manager, pictured, says: “The GAI education syllabus is the only recognised programme in the world that leads to a qualification in architectural ironmongery to British and European standards. The programme meets the expectations of today’s learning environment, and the constant evolution of the courses ensures that all of our learners have all the support they need, whenever they need it.”
The Foundation in Hardware provides an overview of architectural ironmongery. The online course covers door hardware products, standards and the basics of access control and then a final exam that can be retaken as many times as needed. The next stage on from this is the Certificate in Architectural Hardware. Level one covers different products and also includes the basics of hardware components and scheduling. Level two continues to focus on products but provides more in-depth knowledge of products and scheduling.
On completion of the Certificate in Architectural Hardware, students can progress to the GAI Diploma. It focuses on the skills and learning needed for scheduling, of particular importance to those architectural ironmongers working on projects being built to UK and European standards across the globe.
The Guild will be celebrating the newly qualified professionals that have recently completed the diploma programme at the Education Awards on Thursday, November 9. Visit www.gai.org.uk.
