The iKBBI proudly launched their online Continual Professional Development (CPD) website this week, urging tradesmen to sharpen up their customer service skills and learn more about their contractual obligations.
Working with The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), the new iAcademy has several TradeSimple e-learning modules aimed at improving legal compliance.
Speaking at the recent iKBBI Parliamentary Reception, CTSI Training & Development Executive Mandy Garnham, said installers who are not up to speed are putting themselves at risk. “Installers already have a lot of regulations to comply with to make sure that their work is up to standard and safe, but that does not make them immune from consumer law and their responsibilities in terms of cancellations, refunds and the right to repairs and replacements.
“Consumers are becoming increasingly more demanding and an installers’ skills and knowledge are key to the success of any business. Businesses that understand their customers’ rights get fewer complaints and more repeat custom, and that’s good for the bottom line.”
CTSI is the membership body for the trading standards profession and is responsible for training and leading the profession. The low-cost TradeSimple modules show installers how to comply with consumer law in a jargon-free way and can be accessed on most devices.
In addition to the compliance element, the new iAcademy, which has secured long-term sponsorship from industry giant Blum, offers a number of learning opportunities across a wider subject scope, to include health & safety. Furthermore, it’s associate section links the industry to partner learning sites, with lots of free downloads from organisations including The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), iKBBI Sponsors HIPPO and strategic partners The Gas Safe Register and NICEIC.
Damian Walters, IKBBI chief executive, said: “This is another demonstrable development, not only for the iKBBI, but also for the industry. Our iAcademy is available to both members and non-members, so our reach is infinite.”
Damian went on to say, “Learning will play an incredibly important role in the future success of our industry and those key-stakeholders that operate within it. It’s not something that should be ignored, especially considering the complexity of our sector. In fact, learning and those credible qualifications that can be achieved via the new iAcademy should be viewed as a way to gain commercial advantage and another way to separate yourselves from others you’re in direct competition with”.
> VISIT THE iACADEMY HERE
EDUCATION | STANDARDS | SUSTAINABILITY | COMPLIANCE |
