A new industry body for installers, Certass Trade Association, has been launched, with the aim of providing installation companies and tradespeople the chance to make their views heard and get ‘real, practical support’ to help grow their businesses.
Jon Vanstone, chair of Certass Trade Association, said: “Our industry is faced with many issues – a lack of reliable support, an ageing workforce and poor perception from consumers. Speaking with installers and tradespeople, we understand the extra pressures they have to contend with. As well as staying competitive and professional in a changing market, there’s also a severe lack of available skilled labour.
“The Certass Trade Association is focussed on creating practical solutions for these issues and to help develop the entire industry. The membership body is open to all companies in the glazing supply chain who share our vision.
“Certass Trade Association is all about its members. We won’t waste time on internal politics or irrelevant issues. Instead, we will collaborate with component suppliers, systems companies, fabricators, training providers and certification schemes to support installers and drive our industry forward.
“By providing the support mechanism for installers to redefine the perception of glazing companies, we can build a reputation from the ground up. This will also attract new people seeking a skilled occupation that delivers innovation and best practice service to the UK housing market.”
Certass Trade Association says it will work with installers to get their views and feedback on what they need from an industry body. The team behind the new association are said to have first-hand experience in successful membership bodies for other sectors in the construction industry. According to Certass, this will give them ‘impressive insight and knowledge of how to create greater reputations through the delivery of a valuable, skilled workforce who use innovative products and best practice to deliver a superior service to consumers’.
Jon concluded: “Certass Trade Association will take a collaborative approach with other companies who share our vision in championing the local installers offering great service to homeowners. The goal is to improve our entire industry.”
