The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has learning and development all mapped out with a robust strategy to include opportunities for everyone working within the industry.
It has unveiled its plans with an animated graphic outlining how it's multi-faceted approach is inclusive and reflects a variety of business areas to support its member organisations, their staff and future workforces. It can be seen at www.adsa.org.uk/education
ADSA's comprehensive approach has been built on 36-years of delivering training, setting safety standards and determining the competency of those specifying, installing and maintaining automatic doors through its authorised technician exams.
However, over the years ADSA has recognised the need to train people at different stages of their careers for end-to-end learning and development to support career aspirations, promotional opportunities and facilitate succession planning.
It has also looked beyond the front line – identifying a variety of professional and support roles that deliver critical business functions, such as sales, customer service and warehouse management - and is developing opportunities within specific skill sets encompassing industry relevant content.
The strategy has been built on research, including feedback from members as to how their businesses are changing and what they envisage future requirements to be – not only for the business, but also for their staff wellbeing and personal development. These include formal training courses and qualifications – from NVQs to diplomas – general learning and key skills, industry-specific content, supportive programmes, apprenticeships and management development.
It is, and will be, delivered using a blended learning approach, utilising a variety of methods and resources, including classroom and digital. Working partnerships with other trade associations have also been created – in January 2021, ADSA formed the Entrance Systems Alliance with the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) to deliver industry-based NVQs. It has also joined forces with private training providers, assessment centres and e-learning technology companies for the provision of efficient and cost-effective courses.
Access to the ADSA Academy – a web-based learning hub with free and pay-to-click course content, technical briefings and news – is included within its member benefits. The resource has been accessed more than 25,000 times since it was created in 2017.
Said ADSA Managing Director Ken Price: "We now have a wide-reaching strategy that is inclusive and delivers not only what our members need now, but into the future to help those businesses grow. It recognises that everyone who works within the automatic door industry plays a vital role and we are keen to support them within their specific jobs and underpin those skills with industry knowledge and standards."
