GAI: Challenge yourself – become a qualified door hardware professional

Architectural ironmongers who are seeking to complete their career to become a fully qualified door hardware professional can now re-enrol in the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers’ (GAI) education programme, with no need to start from the beginning.

The Challenge Exam is aimed at those who have taken a break during their studies of the GAI Diploma (stage 3) or the Certificate in Architectural Hardware (stage 1 or 2) training courses for three years or more.

It consists of a short test covering all areas of the last stage of learning they have passed – once the Challenge Exam has been passed, they can then progress to the next stage of the education programme, without having to start at stage 1 again.

There will be two challenge exams held this year ready for potential students to enrol in the 2019/20 programme. Both exams will be held at the GAI head office in London on 14 August and 3 December 2019.

Online invigilation can be arranged for international students who would like to take the exam.

The Guild’s education programme is the only recognised programme in the world that leads to a qualification in architectural ironmongery to British and European standards. 

It is open to all industry professionals and trainees across the world, not just those within GAI membership.

There are two qualifications available within the GAI education programme. The Certificate in Architectural Hardware (CiAH) consists of two stages with 24 education modules covering everything an architectural ironmonger is required to know.  

Once this has been completed, students may choose to continue their studies by enrolling for the GAI Diploma.

This stage focuses entirely on the skills and learning needed for scheduling the architectural ironmongery, electric hardware and key control for a project, and is of particular importance to those architectural ironmongers working on projects being built to UK and European standards across the globe. 

Once they have completed the diploma, they become a DipGAI, an industry recognised symbol of professionalism. 

The 2019/20 education programme prospectus has been published on the GAI website, outlining the qualifications, course content and training support available.

It also gives further information on becoming a Registered Architectural Ironmonger (RegAI) through the Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme. The programme offers flexibility for busy professionals and far more opportunity to gain the CPD points. 

Enrolments are open from 2 September until 20 December 2019.  

For more information on how to apply for the Challenge Exam, email [email protected]

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