Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: williamx on February 26, 2009, 08:14:24 pm

Title: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: williamx on February 26, 2009, 08:14:24 pm
I am in the process of expanding my business, I intend to have 14 full time cleaners in the next 3 years, and I was wondering if the wfp courses that the BWCA hold are worthwhile.

I will also train my staff on my high standards but I was thinking that this course might be a good starter programme for them when they first start with my company.

Please only comment if you have been on this course.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Clive McDonald on February 26, 2009, 08:18:38 pm
I don't think you can dictate who comments on a topic on an open forum.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Steve CM on February 26, 2009, 08:21:00 pm
I am in the process of expanding my business, I intend to have 14 full time cleaners in the next 3 years, and I was wondering if the wfp courses that the BWCA hold are worthwhile.

I will also train my staff on my high standards but I was thinking that this course might be a good starter programme for them when they first start with my company.

Please only comment if you have been on this course.

i hope you have deep pockets! ;)
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: williamx on February 26, 2009, 08:21:24 pm
I don't think you can dictate who comments on a topic on an open forum.

I not dictating only asking
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: williamx on February 26, 2009, 08:22:27 pm
I am in the process of expanding my business, I intend to have 14 full time cleaners in the next 3 years, and I was wondering if the wfp courses that the BWCA hold are worthwhile.

I will also train my staff on my high standards but I was thinking that this course might be a good starter programme for them when they first start with my company.

Please only comment if you have been on this course.

i hope you have deep pockets! ;)

Yep and they both have holes in them ;D
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Clive McDonald on February 26, 2009, 08:48:26 pm
apology accepted. As steve says if the employee leaves this is money down the drain, and if they go on the course before starting any work it will go over their head.

IMO offer it a perk to keen employees keen to get a head and be team leaders, that way they will jostle to go, not look on it as a couple of easy days.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Steve CM on February 26, 2009, 08:56:34 pm
i actually meant to build a business in 3 years that could sustain 14 people working would cost a fortune! not unless your over halfway there already mind ;)
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: williamx on February 26, 2009, 09:13:21 pm
i actually meant to build a business in 3 years that could sustain 14 people working would cost a fortune! not unless your over halfway there already mind ;)

As baldrick from "Blackadder" says

" I have a cunning plan" ;)
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Steve CM on February 26, 2009, 09:19:17 pm
i actually meant to build a business in 3 years that could sustain 14 people working would cost a fortune! not unless your over halfway there already mind ;)

As baldrick from "Blackadder" says

" I have a cunning plan" ;)

does it involve a shooter and a post office? ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: williamx on February 26, 2009, 09:21:37 pm
i actually meant to build a business in 3 years that could sustain 14 people working would cost a fortune! not unless your over halfway there already mind ;)

As baldrick from "Blackadder" says

" I have a cunning plan" ;)

does it involve a shooter and a post office? ;D ;D

It couldn't be a bank nowdays, they got no money anymore ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: williamx on February 26, 2009, 09:29:32 pm
apology accepted. As steve says if the employee leaves this is money down the drain, and if they go on the course before starting any work it will go over their head.

IMO offer it a perk to keen employees keen to get a head and be team leaders, that way they will jostle to go, not look on it as a couple of easy days.

In their terms and conditions of employment, it will state that if they leave my company within a set period of time say 6 to 9 months they will have to pay for the course.

There are many reasons why I am thinking about this course, it is a good marketing tool when I am tendering for large contracts, it shows that I am aware and proactive in Heath & Safety and in the overall service that I offer my customers.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: DASERVICES on February 26, 2009, 09:57:35 pm
It's about 95% theory and 5% pratical. If I employed I would not send them on it as I would prefer to see 50/50.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: williamx on February 26, 2009, 10:05:22 pm
Doug

Do you know of any other wfp training courses?

William
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Jimmy1 on February 26, 2009, 10:13:48 pm
I went on it before I even started. I had no experience at all of window cleaning in any way, shape or form. Yes it is mostly theory, but you do get a chance for some pratical. I can't speak for anyone else, but I found it really helped me as without it I wouldn't have had a clue.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: DASERVICES on February 26, 2009, 10:21:30 pm
William,

I think the FED were starting one up but do not know if they have started yet. It's a good course for a sole trader wanting to know the in's and outs how wfp works but as we all know most staff the theory would go in one ear and out the other.

It would be better for them if there was more hands on course.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: richywilts on February 26, 2009, 10:53:15 pm
i went on it before i started window cleaning too they are quite expensive as i had to stay overnight in hotel n av a massage (haha) n pay for fuel for 3 hr drive down then back again, but craig who runs ionics and the bwca does make window cleaning sound interesting and it might motivate your staff etc it goes into the theory and science behind waterfed pole cleaning and touches on stuff like legionaires that u can spread if u leave water in ya tank for a long period etc touches on other areas too.i did all 4 courses n they were all pretty much the same he touched on same stuff over n over again same stories!!!

hope this helps richy!!
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: sageorgeta on February 27, 2009, 07:32:55 am
If i was thinking about expanding the business to the extent that you are thinking i would be looking at some kind of in-house training facilities.
If you attended the bwca course yourself you would then be able to see the context of the training.
It would be much better for you to train in-house as you can keep control of your employees with your methods.....
After all you would want them to replicate your methods of working surely.
The bwca holds no clout imo in the domestic market,and the commercial work i do the facilities managers and site agents have never heard of them either,so i wouldnt rush into thinking that external training facilities will benefit more than what you probably know already
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Moderator David@stives on February 27, 2009, 07:55:10 am
I am sure every one has heard of the BWCA, they advertise in all the right places where facilities managers look.

Ie cleaning matters, cleaning& Hygeine etc

Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Glyn H on February 27, 2009, 09:54:53 am
The Fed are running IOSH courses, I think the cost is £145 for members and £185.00 for non members.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Moderator David@stives on February 27, 2009, 10:14:58 am
I would agree with Glyn the IoSH fed course will give you more bang for your buck.

You get a double whammy cert it is approved by IOSH and the FWC and covers all safety aspects of wfp and ladders.

As an employer it is an ideal starting point for your employees.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Window Washers on February 27, 2009, 10:22:37 am
The Fed are running IOSH courses, I think the cost is £145 for members and £185.00 for non members.
Any idea where these courses are ?
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: richywilts on February 27, 2009, 10:31:50 am
i went to 1 at the feds hq in stockport
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: trevor perry on February 27, 2009, 10:37:07 am
The Fed are running IOSH courses, I think the cost is £145 for members and £185.00 for non members.
Any idea where these courses are ?
they have them at their premises in stockport near manchester they are pretty good and cover lots of issues ie manual handling risk assessments etc.
 some of the stuff is quite eye opening for instance when trailing hoses are left and we put cones out warning of the danger we may feel we are fully covered but infact we are only partially covered and may still be held partially to blame if someone tripped, so someone would claim for falling and depending on precautions we had taken they would get a percentage of claim, but at least you wouldnt go to jail for not taking any precautions at all ???
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Glyn H on February 27, 2009, 12:05:21 pm
Quote
Any idea where these courses are ?


I know that Cam Cleaning in Forest Hill SE London are running them on a Monthly
basis.

camcleaning.com/index.htm (http://camcleaning.com/index.htm)
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Mr Formby on February 27, 2009, 06:41:52 pm
I went on one , but for me there was too much time spent in the classroom. You cant beat going out and doing it yourself hands on ,
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: williamx on February 28, 2009, 08:48:23 am
Many thanks Glynn and Dave, I will have a word with Bryan at the cleaning show.
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Bryan_Dolby on March 01, 2009, 10:53:02 am
Hello everybody

If you want information about training courses please go to the FWC web site

 The FWC will be at the cleaning show


Bryan
Title: Re: Anyone been on a "WFP" BWCA Course
Post by: Home Proud on March 01, 2009, 02:24:40 pm
Hi

Iv'e just completed two courses at BWCA in swindon, and I can recommend them. Some who attended did not find the courses offered what they were hoping for.