The Inspiration
Inspiration strikes in the most unexpected ways. For us, it came in the form of frustration. Frustration at the growing number of window and door repairs caused by underqualified tradespeople. We knew we had to do something to change the situation.
The Idea
The idea was simple, yet groundbreaking. Why not create a space where aspiring window and door repair professionals could learn from seasoned experts? And so, the Window and Door Repair Academy was born.
With over two decades of experience in the double glazing repair industry, our founder took it upon himself to train his son to take over the family business. And it was during this process that he realized the power of a dedicated training facility.
With a workshop already in place, our founder began collecting second-hand windows from local double glazing firms to use as teaching tools. The hands-on training paid off, and soon, our founder’s son was able to master the craft at an accelerated pace. That’s when the idea struck – why not teach others to raise the standard of operatives repairing people’s windows and doors?
The Research
But before we could launch our groundbreaking training program, we had to do our research. A Google search showed that there were few training centers or facilities offering courses. Some courses offered a day of glass replacement, while others provided only basic knowledge improvement. Then there were the three-day courses where you ‘go out on real jobs,’ but we believe that untrained persons should never play around with doors and windows. We even came across a guy who tells you what to do over the phone while you’re on the job – hardly reassuring!
The Challenges
Determined to create a program that would exceed expectations, we faced several challenges head-on. We had to find a facility that could showcase different types of windows and doors, provide enough space to work on them, and have parking, washrooms, and catering facilities. And of course, we needed a wide variety of top hung, side hung, fanlights, sliding box sash, tilt-and-turns, bi-folds, French doors, sliding patio doors, and uPVC doors.
But we didn’t stop there. We put together a comprehensive training course that covered day-to-day jobs in a way that made candidates confident to carry out the work. We even created a training manual and included additional business set-up training. And to spread the word about our training, we launched a website and social media campaign.
The Launch
After a year of hard work, the Window and Door Repair Academy was finally ready to launch. We advertised our program on social media and ran our first course in February 2020, just a month before the pandemic hit. But we didn’t let that slow us down. Instead, we spent the next year refining and improving our course. And even during the pandemic, we were able to keep going, thanks to government guidelines that allowed construction work to continue.
The Successes
Today, our academy has gone from strength to strength. We’ve had students from all over England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. And we’ve been surprised by the variety of attendees – from those looking to start a new career to groups from double glazing installation firms, property maintenance companies, locksmiths, landlords, councils, and even school caretakers.
The Future
But we’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our plan for the future is to create a network of graduates all over the UK, so we can recommend a local person to any customer who contacts us. We want to become the acknowledged benchmark for quality training in this field and to become affiliated with the Ministry of Defence to give any demobbing service men and women a skilled, secure, and well-paid job in gratitude for their service.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about our course please get in touch we’ll be happy to have a chat and answer any questions you have.