Today - weds 27th march 2008 - has produced a great move forward for the industry. Both Mike and John had an extended meeting with two representatives from Blue Flame certification body regarding the promotion of our industry qualification. The meeting covered an array of specific requirements, which in all honesty has been in place through Johns efforts for some time, allowing a more formal date to be arranged for both prospectus layout and for exacting training room specifications which we are hopeful will be taken on board by our major suppliers.
The meeting has in effect quantified the necessity for industry qualification with both Blue Flame representatives being fully aware of the certifications now required from within our industry. The dates of the first ever independent industry qualification will be published very shortly and will, with god's grace, start within the next 8/10 weeks.
Specifics of our examination layout will be based with a multi choice based answer sheet primarily regarding the British Standards required within the industry. our initial thinking is that the courses to be run shall follow a 4 day period which will include the final examination, expected to cover a 2 hour period with an open book format. The obvious thing which we are sure you are all asking yourselves is the cost involved, a full AESIF members fee charge of £375.00 per candidate including all course fees, daily refreshments, certification, place of practice fees and tutor fees.
None member will pay an increased course cost fee which has not yet to be set.
We are sure you will all agree that this is a most cost effective charge fair to all for the industry qualification. Installers wishing to complete the course need to be applying to the aesif office asap as the demand for qualification is ever increasing.
Mike Pringle
AESIF