The judges of the 2016 FIT show Master Fitter Challenge in association with Fensa, have announced the names of the individuals and companies that will compete in the live finals of the event, which take place at The FIT Show at The International Centre, Telford (12th-14th April 2016).
The finalists are: David Keates of DK Windows; Arron Clegg, Masterfitter Windows; Craig Hanson, Pennine Retail Windows; Duane James, Job Worth Doing; David Shaw, Shaw Home Improvements; and Terry Jones, The Window Company (Con-tracts).
Following a challenging elimination process carried out by GQA Qualifications, detailed interviews with the entrants were followed by site visits during which competitors were observed operating in normal site conditions. From these, the six finalists were chosen to compete under arguably some of the toughest conditions they will ever have to face: fitting windows, a door and a porch roof, against the clock and five other finalists to strict criteria and under the gaze of GQA’s exacting assessors, for big cash prizes and, tougher still, under the critical eye of thousands of other fitters attending The FIT Show. And, whilst payday might be a cheque for up to £5,000, failure to get into the top three means going home empty handed.
Competing throughout the first two days of The FIT Show, the winner will be announced live at The FIT Show Gala Dinner with the result a closely guarded secret until the moment the announcement is made.
Mick Clayton, chief executive of GQA Qualifications, said the standards are as high as he and his assessors have seen: “The standards the finalists set during every aspect of the competition are benchmarks for professionalism and skill in this industry and should be aspirational for all window, door and conservatory fitters working in the industry. The final will be very exciting indeed!”
Chris Mayne, managing director of main sponsors Fensa, believes that the Master Fitter Challenge is important to boost standards in the industry: “Installing windows, doors and conservatories is the point at which most failures occur and everything must be done to encourage and reward excellence at this level. It is fair to say that much of our industry’s reputation is in the hands of people like these and that is why we support the event so keenly.”
Products used in the Master Fitter Challenge Final are completely standard and may be viewed elsewhere at The FIT Show. Windows are provided by Liniar, residential doors by IG/Truedor and roofs by Supalite. Whizzle and Chase Taylor are sponsors.
The Fabricator Installer Trade (FIT) Show takes place at The International Centre Telford on 12th, 13th, 14th April 2016. Advance registration is available at http://www.fitshow.co.uk/visit
