The establishment of a new partnership between DMR Training & Consultancy Ltd and JM Passive Fire Protection Ltd has boosted passive fire protection in northwest England by expanding the provision of training and assessment in the field.
The passive fire sector is growing rapidly, with the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy having highlighted the urgent need for improved fire prevention measures in commercial and residential buildings across the UK.
However, significant issues relating to non-compliant work have exposed a scarcity of training and upskilling within this industry.
Now, two firms have acted to ensure training is available for both new entrants and those already working within the industry.
DMR Training - a construction training provider – and Liverpool-based fire stopping firm JM Passive Fire Protection [JMPFP] have joined forces to offer bespoke passive fire training and education packages from JMPFP’s training academy in Liverpool.
The new training courses support passive fire workers of all abilities, from sector newcomers to competent workers. Training delivery takes place in JMPFP’s academy, which boasts fully equipped classrooms, workshops and training bays.
The courses are designed by request to include specific or all elements of passive fire protection, including the theory, practice and science behind the trade. For firms and workers seeking recognised vocational qualifications and access to the CSCS card system, DMR also provide NVQ Level 2 assessment in Passive Fire Protection.
DMR Training’s managing director, Dave Radley, commented: “We’re constantly looking for ways to improve the training and support we deliver to the construction industry, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that prescriptive regulated qualifications are not always the answer.
“Short upskilling courses tailored to business needs are often far more effective than off-the-shelf qualifications. The training package that John Maguire (MD of JMPFP) has developed for the passive fire protection sector fits perfectly with our conviction that bespoke training has an essential role to play in the industry’s future.
“The passive fire sector is struggling to recruit new entrants, and companies are looking to upskill existing staff from traditional construction trades into fire-stopping roles. JMPFP has produced various quality training programmes to address this skills gap, and DMR has added value through our training experience and expertise in occupational and regulatory requirements. It makes perfect sense that the experts in passive fire protection – JMPFP – and the experts in training and assessment – DMR – come together to collaborate on a project like this.
“The first-class training facilities at JMPFP are a credit to John and his team. They share the same passion and values as DMR, and we’re very much on the same page with what we’re hoping to achieve through our partnership. Inclusivity is key for both of us, and we want to offer training that provides upskilling for experienced workers, as well as gateway into the sector for new recruits.”
JMPFP managing director, John Maguire, added: “There is a monumental need for passive fire protection education and development; training within the sector is extremely limited and difficult to obtain. This has resulted in a shortage of high-quality and safety-compliant installation due to the limited knowledge and skills of those overseeing the projects. With this in mind, we decided to set up a training academy to address the training and developmental needs of those working within the industry.
“Following the opening of the training academy, we met Dave (Radley) from DMR. It was apparent from the start that both JMPFP and DMR share the same vision and enthusiasm for making a difference by diminishing gaps in knowledge within the passive fire protection sector. Both companies are passionate about delivering high-quality training across a field which is focused on saving lives and maintaining structural preservation.
“With DMR’s professionalism in the training sector and JMPFP’s professional qualities and specialism within the field of fire protection, we feel that the highest quality learning and development will take place as part of this formidable partnership. We are excited to work with DMR and to see what the future holds for those wishing to be upskilled and develop a career within passive fire protection.”
To find out more about available courses, contact Clare at JMPFP on 0151 329 3230 / clare@jmpfpac or Matt at DMR Training on 01942 673047 / matt@dmrltd.co.uk
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
