National Windscreens technicians have become the first in the country to achieve recognised Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) qualifications from awarding organisation, GQA Qualifications.
ADAS offer the biggest change and challenge to the automotive glazing industry for many years and National Windscreens has worked with GQA Qualifications to see how existing qualifications could be updated to include this technology.
Pete Marsden, managing director at National Windscreens, said: “Many ADAS safety features work through cameras mounted on windscreens so if a replacement is needed then calibration is also necessary but competence in this calibration work has never been subject to formal qualifications before.
“Having worked with GQA Qualifications for a number of years, it was great to have a direct influence on keeping the qualifications current and fit for purpose,” he added.
Sean Hayes, GQA Technical Manager, said: “By working with employers such as National Windscreens, we have written two new units that have now been added to the GQA Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Automotive Glazing and the GQA Level 3 Certificate in Automotive Glazing. Technical Knowledge tests in the GQA Level 3 Award for Continued Competence in Automotive Glazing have also been updated to ensure ADAS knowledge is assessed.
“I am delighted that National Windscreens technicians have now become the first in the UK to successfully pass these new qualifications. These not only encompass the requirements of the code of practice recently produced by Thatcham Research but go further by ensuring knowledge of how the presence of ADAS can affect the feasibility of windscreen repair,” he added.
Pete Marsden added: “As a company, we have invested more than £2 million in calibration equipment, training and facilities and seeing this recognised by a formal qualification will give our customers exactly what they want, proof of competence.
“I am delighted that we have the first achievers of these new qualifications which will now be taken by technicians at all of our 108 ADAS centres. This means motorists can be assured they can drive away after a single visit with both their windscreen replaced and calibration work completed to required safety standards,” he added.
GQA Qualifications registration and certification system means existing National Windscreens technicians who already hold a qualification can achieve either or both of these new units as a stand-alone recognition.