Employees first to gain industry top accolade

Five rising stars at Bradford's Building Supplies , have become the industry's first successful employees to gain BMF's Diploma in Merchanting.

Bradford's employees become first to gain industry's top accolade Five rising stars at Bradford's Building Supplies , in Yeovil, have become the industry's first successful employees to gain the top professional qualification for management of builders' merchants - BMF's Diploma in Merchanting.

Manager Phil Sparks, commercial managers Nathan Cassidy and Darren Jones, site manager Jo Love and key account manager Paul Carlisle had already completed the BMF's Managing for Success programme.

By undertaking an NVQ level 3 and 4 assessment, they were able to upgrade to the new prestigious BMF Diploma in Merchanting qualification via grandfather rights.

Bradford's already have another 10 employees enrolled on the Diploma who are due to graduate in the next 12 months.

Philip Crick, HR manager at Bradford's said: "This new qualification means our trainees will be academically qualified with a Diploma that stands in high esteem".

"We believe that the course helps to develop our trainees as people and gives them extra confidence through the exposure it offers to all aspects of merchanting".

"Not only does it provide an all round overview to the industry and leadership development, it addresses important business issues such as conditions of employment, security, managing finance and IT, in addition to marketing the branch and customer service".

Chris Simpson, Manager - BMF Training said: "We are extremely proud to present these diplomas and our congratulations go to the five Bradford's employees, who are the first in the industry to achieve this professional qualification".

"We believe the BMF Diploma in Merchanting will become the essential qualification for anyone who wants to develop their career as a leading merchant".

"For those taking the course it provides the knowledge required to attain the highest levels of management within the industry and for companies it will be a route to offering career progression to employees at management level".

The Institute of Builders' Merchants (IOBM) has approved the BMF Diploma in Merchanting as a recognised professional qualification for the industry, which means that Phil, Nathan, Darren, Jo and Paul gain automatic entry as members to the IOBM, and signifies a high standard of commitment to integrity and professional standards.

The diploma comprises of nine self-study modules, nine workshops and four assessment units.

Each of the self-study modules is broken down into four key topic areas that cover: resource, self, people and branch management and is supported by practical workshops and an interactive CD-rom.

Over a period of approximately 12 to 15 months students work they way through each module.

Practical workshops allow students to explore certain areas in more detail and give them the opportunity to apply their knowledge directly to the workplace through simulated exercises.

The assessment units are designed to check that what has been learnt is correctly put into practice on day-to-day basis.

The units use the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) management standards for NVQ level 3 and will be assessed in the workplace by the BMF qualified assessors.

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