Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 10 THE door industry journal winter 2024 Industry News The Rise of Qualification and Training: 2004-2014 Recognising the importance of professional qualifications, ADSA, working alongside the industry, introduced an NVQ in automatic door installation in 2004, a significant step towards formalising education and skills development in the industry. This initiative was complemented by the BS7036-0 Power Operated Pedestrian Door Sets—Safety in Use Part 0: Code of Practice for Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction, which came into effect in 2014. It provides a structured approach to identifying and mitigating risks associated with automatic doors. The introduction of the Equality Act in 2010 further underscored ADSA’s commitment to inclusivity. This legislation put even greater emphasis on making buildings more accessible for all. It acted as a springboard for industry innovation, prompting it to balance accessibility with security. Around this time, ADSA also published its first website, giving itself a shop window to the wider world and promoting its services and the benefits of membership. Another milestone came in 2012, when EN16005 replaced BS7036 as the new safety standard for automatic doors, establishing a unified European benchmark for safety and performance. This transition marked a new era of enhanced safety measures, reflecting ADSA’s ongoing commitment to upholding the highest industry standards. Education and Innovation: 2014 - 2016 By 2014, ADSA solidified its position as a leader in training and qualifications. The introduction of qualification training programmes provided automatic door technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet evolving safety standards and regulations. Industry stalwart Dave Hill took on the ADSA’s consultant managing director role, introducing many initiatives including a Charity Golf Day. This popular sporting and networking event recently marked its 10th anniversary and has raised more than £64,000 for good causes over the past decade. In 2016, ADSA helped pave the way for the introduction of BIM4M2, producing Building Information Modelling for powered pedestrian door operators. This initiative was aimed at enhancing digital design and construction processes for mechanical and electrical systems, including automatic doors. ADSA’s involvement in BIM ensured that automatic door systems seamlessly integrated into modern building designs, positioning the association at the forefront of technological advancements in the construction industry. Technology, Member Benefits and Working Partnerships: 2017 - 2019 ADSA’s commitment to education was further enhanced by creating the ADSA Academy in 2017, an online e-learning hub to support professional development for all member employees. This was upgraded in 2024, introducing a wider span of educational resources to support continuous professional development. Darren Hyde became ADSA’s technical and training manager in 2017. He had been a member of the executive team since 2014, when he was the technical manager for GEZE UK. The association’s membership steadily grew – by 2018, it stood at around 250 - a testament to its reputation and influence within the industry. The following year, saw Ken Price, former national sales manager for GEZE UK, take up the post of ADSA’s first full-time managing director. This heralded an era of significant change and the introduction of innovative member benefits and extended services. By the end of 2019, ADSA launched an Apprenticeship and Diploma programme, further bolstering the career paths available to those entering the industry and supporting the development of a future workforce. This was the culmination of seven years of work led by Paul Watson and supported by Darren Hyde. The concept was scoped, tested and developed into a trailblazer scheme, monitored by DoE and Skills Funding Agency before launch. The following year, South Staffordshire College was appointed to deliver the programme, and to date, seven cohorts have commenced involving 87 students, with 38 end-point assessments having been completed.
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