[Craig_Mawlam]

Dear Cleanitup Members,

I’d like to take this opportunity to formally introduce the BWCA to this forum. My name is Craig Mawlam and I am the Internal Verifier for The British Window Cleaning Academy, an accredited City & Guilds NVQ Centre. The BWCA was established in 1997 to offer the Level 2 NVQ: Cleaning Windows Glass and Façade Surfaces (7696).

As well as offering the NVQ, the BWCA offers a number of stand-alone courses in support of the NVQ. Certification gained from attending these BWCA courses can be used to demonstrate competence for various units of the NVQ.

Each of the BWCA’s instructors hold City & Guilds training qualifications, but the most important factor in delivering quality training is the long term “hands on” window cleaning experience that they have gained over forty years.

Although the NVQ has failed to attract large numbers of Window Cleaners, several hundred Window Cleaners gained BWCA certification for the various stand-alone courses offered by the BWCA. Despite its success BWCA courses were phased out a couple of years ago due to the demand for space to produce the Reach & Wash System. The re-emergence of the BWCA at this time is prompted by Ionic Systems move to new 22,000 sq ft premises in Swindon and new HSE Guidance notes for the safe use of Waterfed Poles due to be published later this year. Another factor driving the need for appropriate trade training for Window Cleaners at this time is the sharp increase in insurance premiums. Increasingly insurers are asking for details of training certificates held by window cleaning staff.

BWCA Literature is available and I am on hand to answer any telephone enquiries on the subject. Courses are booking up fast, therefore if you are interested in attending courses and obtaining BWCA certification I would encourage you to book early!

Best regards

Craig Mawlam
Internal Verifier
BWCA C&G NVQ Centre
0845 22 66 034
 

[williamx]

Could you give prices to the courses and would I be able to gain discounts from Insurance Companys regarding public & employer liabilty

[BeeClean]

william i think youll find that all insurance companies will start to penalise people that dont have formal training. i dont think it will be a case of getting discounts but actually getting any cover at all (maybe thats the same thing anyway)

[Craig_Mawlam]

In addition to the NVQ, The British Window Cleaning Academy offers four additional stand alone courses;

1)      Window Cleaning Skills Course
2)      Getting the best from Waterfed Poles
3)      Health & Safety for Window Cleaners
4)      Marketing a Window Cleaning Business

1&2 and 3&4 are run on consecutive days but can be booked separately all courses are 1day duration. All BWCA courses have a high practical content and the theory elements are delivered in an easy to understand and entertaining manner. A break down of course content is included in the literature pack that can be obtained by calling 0800 146133.

The courses are priced at £95 + vat per candidate and a 10% is available for groups of three or more. Lunch, course handouts, and the certificate of achievement are included in the cost.

Best regards

Craig Mawlam
Internal Verifier
BWCA C&G NVQ Centre

[The_Fed_Man]

Glad to see their re-emergence Craig.

After the training has taken place, do you offer any written point of reference for the employee and employer so that training in the manner taught can be measured?

[steve-mark]

Hi Craig,
Could you please tell me where these courses are held ?
I live in Taunton, Somerset and have my own Co, I have been in the cleaning industry for about 10 yrs but never got any certs, it may be a good idea for me to attend a course.

regards
Steve
Tone Clean
Taunton

[poleman]

Hi Craig

the courses sound a good move for the WFP industry and will be looking into this my self if only for the practical use of WFPs.

I have heard of the BWCA that was many years ago, has BWCA all ways be own by ionic! if not was this a recent merger from IONIC systems limited.

i have been on many courses in my time and most but not all market there own produces on premises, would this be the case with ionic!

andy


dorset

fed member

[Craig_Mawlam]

Steve-mark,

The courses will be held at new premises in Swindon, just off jnc 15 of the M4.

Fed-Man,

The Window Cleaning NVQ is a nationally recognised qualification, each of the BWCA courses are designed to provide supplementary evidence to support various units of the NVQ. The certificates of achievement that are awarded to candidate’s reference course syllabus and in turn NVQ units of competence.

Poleman,

Ionic systems does not own the BWCA, the BWCA is a separate legal entity. In line with its commitment to the Window Cleaning industry Ionic systems sponsors the BWCA by providing facilities within its premises. All BWCA training is skills based and not product orientated, equipment used during practical elements of the training includes tools from former sponsors Ettore and Unger in recognition of their past support. Letters will be sent to other leading manufacturers in the near future asking for sponsorship support, in the event that they accept you can expect to see their products used during the appropriate practical elements of the training.

best regards

Craig Mawlam
Internal Verifier
BWCA C&G NVQ Centre
0845 22 66 034

[Philip Hanson]

Ionic systems does not own the BWCA, the BWCA is a separate legal entity. In line with its commitment to the Window Cleaning industry Ionic systems sponsors the BWCA by providing facilities within its premises

But, doesnt it have the same directors, and the same registered office?  I would bet the shareholders are the same as well.  So, although legally Ionic do not own it, substantially they do, do they not?

I think its misleading to say that Ionic "sponsor" the BWCA as it quite clearly is an Ionic creation.  Not of course that would make it any the worse, as Ionic is an industry leader.  But please, lets not pretend that Ionic, out of the kindness of their hearts (or because they are so committed to helping us poor window cleaners) have given support to an academic institution whose only function is education.  If that were true, the BWCA would be a non-profit making organization, run by a trust for example, not a private limited company.

I am not for a moment pulling down the BWCA, I'm sure the training is of an excellent standard.  Actually I am considering attending some of the courses myself.  But lets be honest and open about how it came to be, and its relationship with Ionic.

Philip

[The_Fed_Man]

Sorry Craig I'll rephrase that.

Your one day skills course.  What I mean is, training is an ongoing thing,  after you have trained a new man for one day, that will not make him an expert window cleaner (if only it were that easy). How can the employer take what you have shown him, measure his progress and retrain him as necessary. Do you provide a manual or checklist?

[Craig_Mawlam]

Philip,
As I have said, Ionic does not own the BWCA. Ionic Systems Ltd came about as recently as September last year, The BWCA however became an accredited NVQ Centre in 1997, the project to launch the NVQ centre having been commenced in 1996. Past sponsor Ettore’s tools continue to be used within the 1 day skills course as do those of Unger who also offered support.

The BWCA is a vehicle to provide training to the nationally recognised NVQ standard, the NFMWGC invested much time and members money assisting in the development of the NVQ. The majority of the syllabus has nothing to do with equipment what so ever.

From a personal perspective, I have been a Window Cleaner since 1985 when I left the RAF. My first customer was my next-door neighbour. At the height of the residential phase of by career, by business “The Window Man” cleaned over 2,000 houses each month. My business changed its name to “Over The Top” in 1991 to reflect its move into Hi-rise Abseiling window cleaning, my first abseiling contract was in 1987 long before IRATA were formed. Through the Nineties I became involved with the IWCA and served on the board of directors. I first became involved in manufacturing in 1995 when my company launched a range of temporary anchorage equipment tested to BS EN 795 standard, training in the safe use of this equipment was an essential feature at that time hence the natural progression to achieving NVQ status. The success that The Reach & Wash system has brought has become the pinnacle of my Window Cleaning career so far, many laughed when in 1997 I launched the system and heralded it as the “future” of window cleaning.

The Window Cleaning industry and my place within it is my life, this has been a career in an industry that has given me so much. The British Window Cleaning Academy is an achievement that I am proud of, becoming an NVQ centre and earning the right to use the word “British” in the title took dedication and a huge investment of time and money. The BWCA has yet to turn a profit, for me the satisfaction comes from being in a position to pass on my learning and experience and to give something back to the industry that I love.

I look forward to welcoming you on a course.

Fed-man,
Yes there is a training manual for the Window Cleaning Skills course. Every new window cleaner that ever attended left able to clean windows properly. As an employer you will recognise someone with the appropriate skills instantly. When you employ a non-experianced person you take the risk that they may leave within just a few weeks, yet you would have invested much time in teaching them. If you think about the cost to you then training will prove less expensive and may weed out people unsuited to the trade before any wages are even paid. You could even have them pay for the course as a condition of employment with a promise from you to repay the training fee after 6 or 12 months service.

If you take on experianced staff then you will undoubtedly have someone with a mix of skills and bad habits, if you send them on the course they will no longer have any excuse for those bad habits and the costly mistakes they may lead too.

Best regards

Craig Mawlam
Internal Verifier
BWCA C&G NVQ Centre
0845 22 66 034

[riz]

Very informative. You cant moan about having not made a profit yet if you inspired reach and wash!!! im about to buy a system (maybe) there's some profit there!!!

Good luck

riz

[poleman]

well iam all booked up but with no dates given by IONIC any one in the same boat as me, they have taken my money weeks ago???

andy

[24-7 S C Services]

HI Craig & Everyone Reading this,

Just a comment on the BWCA

I have now attended two courses at the BWCA Centre, the first being the WFP2 (water fed poles) and the second SK1 (window cleaning skills course).

As like many employers out there, courses are ten to the dozen, but not always informative or value for money. However, I am pleased to say, both these courses where excellent and value for money. I will have no hesitation in sending my staff there for their training. I am glad a professional window cleaner like Craig, is passing on his skills and knowledge.

As for comments about Ionics owning this company or having vested interests in it, this did not concern me and still does not. What people will find on these courses, is good instruction, new skills, health & safety issues etc and NOT pressure selling into purchasing Ionic or OTT tools and equipment. Yes, I suppose if you wanted these, then they would be happy to help you, but not in the course time.

Anyone out there wanting training for window cleaning, I personally recommend these courses, even for the more experienced window cleaner, I would still recommend it, as I am sure he/ she will still learn a thing or too.

With reference to the WFP2 course, you will also learn valuable Health & Safety Issues, especially about ‘Legionella Disease’ – If you are using water fed poles and unaware of the risks, you need this information, especially in this hot weather.

Many Thanks


Andrew – 24 -7 Security & Cleaning Services

[Robbie Parkes]

Hi, do you have a number for the BWCA? The one Craig gives doesn't seem to work.

Thanks

[simbag]

You will find most of the details you need on their website:

http://www.iwcto.com

You can also buy the course from the sponsors of this forum:

http://www.express-cleaning-supplies.co.uk/oos/trainingcourses/

[Craig_Mawlam]

Hi Robbie,

We changed the number recently, the new number is; 0845 22 66 034

As Simbag says you can book courses on the website or through Express Cleaning Supplies, as you are a forum user I would recommend that you did book through Express.

Kind regards
Craig Mawlam

[windows_chepstow]

Craig,

Do you ever have any females attend your Window Cleaning Skills course?  And will you have any attending this course in the nearish future?

I know it's a strange question, but I'd like to send Wor Lass on it, if anything in an attempt to do a little IIP (Investing in People).  She's trying to get out of it by saying 'she'll be the only 'chick' in the village'.

Being an ex-forces 'manager' (like yourself - do you still wear the bryl cream?) I know a little about IIP.  I always write regular six-monthly appraisals for my missis and always include the lines 'Works well under supervision' and 'cooking skills require some improvement' and 'sets low standards and fails to achieve them'. 

So far the feedback I've had from her hasn't been very positive.

I'd like to send her on this course in an attempt to enthuse her.  You're not far from us; so travel isn't a problem.

So, have you any females attending future courses, also, what are the general course timings?

If you don't have any females a quick 'She'll be safe with us, Mate' line would suffice and I'll back her into a corner and show her the post; deleting this line before I do.

I also understand the course cost will be tax-deductable!

Regards,

Tosh

[Dominic]

Hi Tosh

Myself and my partner Charlotte attended the wfp course and it was great. Obviously Charlotte was a bit nervous when it came to the practical part of day but Craig and Carl treated her the same as everyone else and Charlotte ended up getting stuck in and using the wfp's just like the lads.
Charlotte was the only girl there but there were no issues as everyone was to busy absorbing all the info. Both our heads had nearly exploded by end of the day. We both felt that the course was a must as we were totally green to wfp's even though we have both been cleaning windows the trad way for years.
Anyway I can highly recommend it and here's to more women getting involved in window cleaning careers. Let's face it there a lot more organised than us and I'm sure you'll agree Man and Wife can make the best teams.

Cheers
Dom

[Robbie Parkes]

Thanks Craig, I found the Ionics number on the website and got hold of somebody through that, have asked for a pack to be sent out, hopefully get something sorted soon.


Thanks again