Oh susan xx, what a lot to take on board
Firstly, my apologies, on behalf of the Association and my fellow directors for a breakdown in communications.
For an insight about some of what we do, please read my posting under the topic of "Important Lesson"
The staff in our office are administrators who carry out the administrative duties of the Association as directed by us, the directors. For this, and other reasons, referal to a director is the best way of making contact about specific queries.
One of the objectives of The NCCA is set training standards for Members. This means that any applicant for membership will have to attend an approved "generic" course and pass a test. A manufacturers course rarely meets the generic requirement. Upon obtaining a pass, an applicant will then show proof of holding both Public and Treatment Liability Insurance. Once these requirements have been met, and the membership fee being paid, the applicant becomes a Full Member of The National Carpet Cleaners Association.
So where does the consumer come into this? By choosing an NCCA Member to clean their carpets, the consumer has the assurance that their chosen contractor has received formal training, passed an examination, has Public and Treatment Risk Insurance and will abide by a laid down code of practice. If something goes wrong on the job, the Member will have the back-up of the above mentioned Insurance. Peace of mind and security for both the customer and the member. If there are any disputes between the Member and the customer, The NCCA will act as arbitrators.
So that nobody is under any misapprehension, The NCCA will NEVER accept any financial or other liability for errors made by any individual member. I regard that as being a totally unreasonable expectation. I am not aware of any type of organisation offering that type of guarantee (insurers excepted).
As for Membership Benefits. I know that this is going beyond your enquiry above, but here's some of them.
Newslink magazine (11 months a year)
FREE legal Helpline
Website with your own listing (Google Carpet Cleaners)
Link to your own website (one off fee required)
Technical Help and Support
Referals from website and office
Discounts on NCCA organised events
Technical Roadshows
Workshops
Help with Press releases
Low cost YP and Thomsons advertising
the list goes on and on, but these are the main headline benefits.
The NCCA trainers are highly skilled and knowledgeable. A major advantage they have over many other organisations is that as well as being trainers, they are also very experienced carpet and upholstery cleaners. They are also very highly regarded throught all sectors of our industry. Paul Pearce, our Technical Director, is widely regarded as being one of the top trainers in the UK and, perhaps, beyond.
If you have any further queries you would like to discuss susan xx, then please drop me a line at:
ken@ncca.co.uk and I'll do my best to answer your queries.
Safe and happy cleaning
Ken Wainwright
Marketing & Media Director,
NCCA
In business for yourself
Not by yourself