Following a two-year ‘pause’ as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced its plan to resume its training programme in the Republic of Ireland. In a very positive meeting held in Dublin on 28th April with Ireland-based members, DHF’s Head of Commercial Operations, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens, General Manager & Secretary, Michael Skelding, and Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Steve Hill, outlined the federation’s intention to recommence one and two-day training courses.
In July 2019, DHF held a one-day public Level 2 Award in Automated Gate and Traffic Barrier Safety in Ireland, and such was its success, a second public training day for installers and maintenance operatives of automated gates took place in February 2020, a course that was open to all, whether a member of DHF or not. At the time, Patricia described the expansion of training into Ireland as a ‘leap of faith’:
“We were delighted by the uptake of training courses in Ireland in 2019, and again in February 2020 and had planned regular events to build on this success,” she explains. “However, following the onset of ‘lockdown’ in March 2020, these had to be put on hold. We are very pleased to be able to kickstart our training in Ireland once again, and following our meeting with members last month, it is evident there is a genuine enthusiasm for this.”
DHF’s offering will comprise two-day courses (which will remain as members’ private courses), and one-day courses, both of which will complement any future auditing requirements. The one-day course will once again comprise five learning modules with a short examination following each and presents examples of past failures and prosecutions, as well as giving the learner the ability to accurately conduct and document a risk assessment.
“Last month’s 
meeting was the first face-to-face gathering to take place since early 2020 and it was great to see so many members engaging with our training strategy. Since the meeting we have already received bookings for training courses from members in and around the Dublin area for their staff and customers, and Senior Training and Compliance Officer Steve Hill is ready to start in July.” says Patricia. “They continue to help DHF by promoting safe and compliant installation and maintenance of Automated Gates, Industrial Doors, Garage Doors, Doorsets including fire doorsets, and we are keen to grow our membership here.”
For further information on DHF training courses, please visit: https://www.dhfonline.org.uk/
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