Haydn Nelms, Proline Fencing & Landscapes, Bridgend, South Wales

When it became obligatory for fencing contractors to qualify for Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards, Haydn Nelms and his four workers didn’t just do the minimum, but took NVQs in fencing instead.

Haydn wants to spread the word about the importance of the NVQ qualification and the skills it confirms. In future he would like customers to specifically request fencers with that level of expertise, which would improve quality and trust in the industry as a whole.

As a former driving instructor and computer technician who decided on a change of career to focus on his interests in building and gardening, Haydn has a very clear view of the importance of proper training and its benefits.

“Having started as general property maintenance company, we were asked to do a fence, then next door asked, then next door, and so on. Preferring to specialise, Proline Fencing and Landscapes was established in 1993.

Enlarge Image

Haydn Nelms, Proline Fencing & Landscapes (estd 1993), Bridgend, South Wales. Lantra fencing case study

“Over the years we have done a lot of training with manufacturers. Early on we worked on a fencing project for a local timber company, so were trained by them. Then we worked on a housing association site involving BS1722, the British Standard for fencing, so had to learn that inside out to ensure compliance.

“To meet Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS ) card requirements, I didn’t just want to do the touch screen test for the green card. So all my team did an NVQ Level2 to get blue cards for experienced workers, while I did the NVQ Level 3 to qualify me as an NVQ assessor and to gain a management platinum card. It took from October 2007 to March 2008.

“While the cards are now obligatory, the qualification isn’t. However I was keen for us to have the NVQs for a number of reasons. There are a lot of cowboys out there, and I wanted to demonstrate our professionalism by having a qualification that has to be earned not just bought.

“The NVQ qualification gives my operators something to show what they can do and going through the process was good in itself. The common experience made everyone more of a team as we were sharing something other than the job.

“While I will be promoting our 100% NVQ qualified team, I don’t expect customers to necessarily want to pay extra, but they will come to us because not only can we do the job we are qualified to do it and can prove it. However not enough people yet appreciate the difference between having a card and going through an NVQ.

“I’m always happy to find the time and money for courses as it is an investment in the business. We tend to go all together as nobody is likely to remember everything all the time and it’s good for team spirit. Training gives people pride in themselves as well as their work. It helps keep them interested in their job and loyal to the firm. More training is planned, particularly on the landscaping side.

“Training is always worthwhile. It’s about teaching people why they are doing things, not just how. And getting a qualification, even for me, was a nice feeling. Doing it all at the same time brought us closer together.”