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The Bathroom Academy | Unique and Online
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One of the most frequent questions arriving at the Stoke-on-Trent offices of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) is “where can I get good, relevant and cost effective bathroom products training?”
The question may come from a number of sources. The HR departments of major UK bathroom manufacturers and installers are always on the lookout for training material for both their existing staff and new recruits. Lecturers in the plumbing colleges need the very latest information about bathroom products for their students. And plumbing students, themselves, ask about fast tracking their studies in the bathroom industry. So both academics and practitioners are always seeking bathroom training resources.
Faced with this repeated question, staff at the BMA, last year, launched its Bathroom Academy - unique online training for the bathroom industry.
Vital Support
The Academy has been developed to assist both existing staff and beginners and is an ideal vehicle for imparting bathroom knowledge to students.
Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the BMA explains “the BMA is the Voice of the Bathroom Industry and, quite rightly, is constantly asked about bathroom training materials. Last year, it launched the Bathroom Academy to meet the obvious need. Our new and online training courses, unique in the industry, are so successful that we now employ a full-time Training Manager whose role is to liaise with the industry, schools, colleges and students and to develop the Academy further - providing that vital link and support to all in bathrooms.”
Developed by experts
The Bathroom Academy is an online learning resource and has been written by experts from within the British bathroom industry. It took almost three years to fully develop before its launch in 2007 and it covers all the main bathroom areas. It is totally generic and free of any branding.
After initial registration and payment of fees students can enrol for their preferred subjects. They choose from domestic water systems, sanitaryware and fittings, baths, brassware, showering controls and enclosures, furniture or water efficiency. Then, by means of a staged learning programme of reading, learning, testing and real life practical projects the students can achieve a total of six ‘merits’ which lead to the awarding of the Certificate in Bathroom Studies.
“The beauty of the learning process in the Academy,” says Orgill, “is that students can learn in their own time and at their own pace. Once they have achieved the certificate they can become a member of the academy and go on to gain the advanced Diploma.”
Dynamic
Over 400 students are currently studying with the Academy and 15 colleges have become partners in the learning programmes. The Academy courses dovetail excellently with these colleges since colleges provide training in the installation and practical aspects side of the industry with NVQs in plumbing, whereas the Academy enriches this with product knowledge. The Academy really does provide a win win situation –helping students to get it right, first time.
The Academy is dynamic. It never stands still and is constantly being developed in line with suggestions and recommendations from its users. Already, CPD courses have been developed and are being rolled out through trade magazines. The latest module looks at competition law and later this year an all-new Bathroom Design Workshop and CAD course will be launched.
Benefits
For employers, the Bathroom Academy has many benefits. Staff become well versed in the features and benefits of bathroom products. They become knowledgeable and confident and employers can rely on them to get it right first time with less call backs or complaints.
For students, the industry-recognised Certificate in Bathroom Studies is a passport to an improved career. Increased knowledge of the trade and a greater confidence give the student the necessary foundations for life in the industry. One of the students – Mr. Steve Luck, a plumber – commented “this is a terrific source of information and material. Thanks to the Academy I can give much better advice to my customers.”
For more information about the Bathroom Academy contact the BMA on 01782 747123 or to register visit www.bathroom-academy.co.uk/

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