[Bryan_Dolby]

I would introduce myself

Bryan Dolby
49
Window cleaning since1983
Employed staff but sole trader last 8 years
WFP 6 years mainly commercial

FWC
Member 1985
Committee 16 years
Chairman FWC 14 years


Qualifications
NVQ level 2 in window cleaning
Passport to safety (iosh)
Risk management (iosh)
General certificate(nebosh)
Tutor for the FWC  (iosh)
Hope fully next NVQ assement

What is your training and window cleaning experience

Bryan

[richywilts]

bryan which one of your qualifications would you say has helped you the most i.e when approaching commercial which one stands out that makes them pick you over someone else say?

[Bryan_Dolby]

Richy

NVQ
passport to Safety

It is very hard to say but all the new customers said the whole package

I have to admit it does all go together but as taken a couple of years to get it all

If i had to give any advise to window cleaners start getting your training portfolio together now

Tosh
Member FWC

Bryan

[Mr.G]

training- 2 days helping out a mate who was working on the dole
qualifications- driving licence

[Moderator David@stives]

David Morris

41 years of age

Window Cleaner since 1998

Employ 3 full time staff and the odd sub contractor

Qualifications and History

Safecontractor    Accredited
Chas                   Accredited
BWCA               WFP Course
FED of Window Cleaners Accredited
I.O.S.H          Managing Safely course
Former Chairman of a Trade Association 2006 -2009
All staff and owners  CRB Checked
£5 million Insurance as Standard
Gained 2 stone in 2 years through employing

[pjulk]

Window cleaning since 1987 both domestic and commercial.

Have employed but turned into a headache so will be sticking to sole trader.

Now mainly domestics but i do have a few contract jobs also.

My qualifications are the most important one's you need Experience better than any NVQ.

And no i'm never planning on doing any of these course's no need to for me i'm happy as i am.

[Tosh]

What is your training and window cleaning experience

Having a ladder slip under me was probably my best training and window cleaning experience.

It just happened the once; and won't happen again.

NVQs also aren't thought of as much as a qualification by the general public.  I've an NVQ 3 in supervisory management and it's not worth the paper it's written on.  You can get an NVQ 2 in administration just by having knowledge of a keyboard and being able to file stuff.

NVQs are rubbish!

[Moderator David@stives]

Tosh

A window cleaning NVQ isnt rubbish, at the moment it is the only window cleaning qualification available.

Like anything else it shows your professionalism, in my opinion training will pay off handsomely.

[Mr.G]

how much training do you need to clean windows then?? it's basically just common sense.

[Tosh]

Tosh

A window cleaning NVQ isnt rubbish, at the moment it is the only window cleaning qualification available.

Like anything else it shows your professionalism, in my opinion training will pay off handsomely.

If an NVQ 2 in window cleaning is the best qualification we can get; then that's sad.  But I'm not sure that's correct; not really.

But with regards to NVQs they've endured nearly two decades of criticism on philosophic and practical grounds.

You will find that most people who've been through a proper training process, whether that be educational or practicle and who're in a managerial post will laugh at an NVQ.

[johns window kleen]

Hello Bryan,
I have a few years experience, but have had no formal training, apart from buy applicator and squeegee and do own windows a few times.

Became proficient then went WFP, had one days accompaniment training with experienced W/C.
Take pride in the quality of my work, and get many compliments from customers, so I guess im fairly good.

Would love to see this trade become more professional in general, but for domestic work I don't see how it can.

You cant stop the scrotes and the dole boys, or the temporarily out of work plasterers,etc,etc, from getting in there when times are hard, and underpricing. Ie, this job is always up for highjacking.

Most Customers at Domestic level couldnt give a monkeys as to what qualifications you have, some just want cheap [dont care if I loose these types}.
Like Tosh said NVQ's are held in high regard.

How would the FED be of benefit to me ? I guess it has some clout in the larger Commercial type work.

I Am a member of the Guild.

[Mr.G]

Why did you say I proved the point, Ewan?

[EZclean]

NVQ's are useless. for window cleaning, really, it's scraping the barrell time. people laugh when i tell them there is an NVQ in window cleaning. literally roll about laughing, its a big joke.

[Tosh]

NVQ's are useless. for window cleaning, really, it's scraping the barrell time. people laugh when i tell them there is an NVQ in window cleaning. literally roll about laughing, its a big joke.

I wouldn't say it's that funny!

 

[matt]

NVQ's are useless. for window cleaning, really, it's scraping the barrell time. people laugh when i tell them there is an NVQ in window cleaning. literally roll about laughing, its a big joke.

I wouldn't say it's that funny!

 

but it allmost is

old stan would have been proud of us  :

[Tosh]

NVQ's are useless. for window cleaning, really, it's scraping the barrell time. people laugh when i tell them there is an NVQ in window cleaning. literally roll about laughing, its a big joke.

I wouldn't say it's that funny!

 

but it allmost is

old stan would have been proud of us  :

Hmmm; it's late and Wor Lass is getting cross; but I can see Dave's point of view; if an NVQ 2 is the best we've got for a qualification; no matter how sad that is; maybe we should support it.

Are we really all Stan Ogdens?

[Mr.G]

I wouldn't admit having a nvq in window cleaning, my mates would take the p mercilessly!

[johns window kleen]

I wouldn't admit having a nvq in window cleaning, my mates would take the p mercilessly!

Snap!!!

[Moderator David@stives]

Igorance is bliss !!!!!!!!

I am currently on my IOSH managing safely course, and I am starting to see my responsibility as an employer and it is getting very scary.

Things it has taught me.

I have to teach my staff.

1/ Manual Handling.
2/ How to use a ladder
3/How to work safely
4/How To use a POle
5 Give talks on the importance of washing there hands
6/Give them first Aid Training
7/ Lone working

This is just a few things i am responsible for, I also have to record the above and to cover my back I have to get them to sign they have recieved the above.

An nvq will go a long way to help me fulfil my responsibility, it gives me the proof that i have assessed my staff in there job.

It is so easy to be blinkered, but there is a million and one things that can go wrong window cleaning

[DaveG]

Dave 43 years old

Window Cleaning off and on 26 years

mgwc

"o" level art and a GCSE!