TEST Results for VEKA and Sovereign

A concept by The Essential Support Team (TEST) has received the backing of one of the largest influences in the window industry, VEKA fabricator, The Sovereign Group. The TEST initiative is a window installation training scheme aimed at putting local people back into jobs in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, and the overall goal is to widen the scheme to other boroughs.

TEST is a Government funded training organisation set up in 2000 to deliver training for apprentices and NVQ qualifications in the building industry. TEST secured an agreement with the Laing Training Centre in Edmonton to use their facilities and provide fenestration training courses for local people. Having a long and successful association with TEST, The Sovereign Group saw the long-term benefits of the scheme and was more than willing to provide all materials and frames for the apprentices. In fact The Sovereign Group was selected to back the scheme by TEST because the company has a wealth of experience in the social housing sector spanning many years, with particular regards to the work it has undertaken in and around Hackney, delivering flawless results. Also Sovereign has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the employment and training of local people on every job it undertakes.

'The training is run for the London Borough of Waltham Forest as a regeneration project to get more people learning the basics of construction,' comments Phil Thomas of TEST. 'Within a multi-skilled course, we run a five-day fenestration module which has proved so popular and useful so far, that we are now running two extra courses as stand alone modules concentrating solely on window installation techniques.'

Having worked at VEKA for almost ten years, and knowing of Sovereign's industry presence and reputation, Phil was well aware that both companies are of the most revered in the business and approached them with the scheme. Immediately, full support was pledged by VEKA and The Sovereign Group to get the initiative off the ground. 'Sovereign was one of the first companies to sign up for NVQ training with TEST so it was a natural option for them to supply all the frames and equipment required for the practical work,' continues Phil. 'Also, Sovereign has embarked upon a significant replacement window programme with the London Borough of Hackney and is familiar with the criteria demanded by local authorities.'

With the world famous VEKA brand behind it, Phil is already seeing unprecedented interest in the training initiative. 'The scheme is genuinely unique in the building industry,' he concludes. 'We give local people the skills and confidence to learn a new trade and they learn with the very best components on the market - the Sovereign range that uses VEKA profiles. When the practical course is completed, they are then available to potential employers who are crying out for skilled craftsmen. Additionally, they can subsequently sign up to our NVQ training when employed which we offer as part of the support package to ensure ongoing training for the future.'

TEST is the only specialist training company for the window industry providing this kind of training, having launched this training first for Fusion 21 on Merseyside and Birmingham City Council some time ago before gaining interest from the London Boroughs.