TradeHelp are looking to engage more closely with ACS and OFTEC Training Centres across the UK to provide free support for your Trainer Assessors and installers.

Established in 2014, TradeHelp supports its growing network of over 5,000 heating and bathroom installers with free tools and services to help them compete in the marketplace.

What is the benefit to your installers?

• Handy installer app – to complete electronic gas safety certificates, quotes and invoices, plus a toolbox with industry calculators, service reminders and much more…
• Customer finance options – the ability to offer interest free credit over 12 months and interest bearing credit over up to 10 years.
• Buying Group savings – cash back and savings from 19 leading manufacturer and merchant partners including Worcester, Vaillant, Viessmann, Ideal, Intergas, Honeywell, Fernox, Adey, City Plumbing, James Hargreaves, Plumbase and Graham.
• It’s FREE!

What is the benefit to your training centre?

• Add value to your sessions – support your installers by making them aware of the handy free tools in the app, the savings they can make and finance solutions available.
• Free advertising – list your centre on the training centre search tool in our app at no cost and TradeHelp will promote any special offers you have across our social media, website and app news feed.
• Have TradeHelp sponsor an award – we can sponsor an award for your installers.
• Free merchandise and marketing materials – TradeHelp can provide pop up banners, information leaflets, pens, mugs and gas meter keys to give out in your sessions.
• Support from our TradeHelp representatives – A member of the team can visit your Trainer Assessors to demo the app and provide more information, or even pop into a session to speak to your installers.
• All FREE of charge!

For more information contact us on 01978 666 887 or email info@tradehelp.co.uk.

Take a look at our website for more information or download the TradeHelp app on the links below.

Download from the APP STORE

Download from GOOGLE PLAY

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TradeHelp Sponsor ECTA Apprentice of the Year Award

TradeHelp are very pleased to have supported the ECTA Apprentice of the Year Award following a great partnership with the popular training centre in Stockport.

The competition was open to all that attended the Apprenticeship programme in 2018 working towards a full Apprenticeship standard.  The candidates were very strong and the judges based their decision on the apprentice’s contribution to the company they work in, coupled with their dedication to excel in achieving relevant qualifications.

James received many great references with quotes read at the prize giving including – “He has come into the classroom with an extremely positive attitude to learning.”  “He is always eager to learn and has a positive impact on all those around him”.

TradeHelp’s Matt Backhouse presented James with his prizes this morning, alongside East Cheshire Training and Assessment Managing Director, Kerry-Anne Berry. Our Congratulations go to James for all his hard work!

Click here for more information on ECTA Training.

TradeHelp and ACS Centres

TradeHelp are proud to support ACS centres with the free industry tools within the TradeHelp app, along with free promotion through the ACS/ OFTEC directory. Our development team are happy to visit centres to teach trainer assessors about the free app and provide promotional materials, including handouts, banners, pens, meter box keys and tape measures for the students.

If you would be interested in finding out more about the benefits of TradeHelp for your centre, please contact us on 01978 666 887 for more information or to arrange a visit.

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Firstly, a very big thank you to all of those who came to meet us on the stand, whether current members or new.  It was great to speak to so many installers face to face and communicate the free benefits that TradeHelp can offer in supporting SMEs in the industry.

We hope that all those who downloaded the app are finding the tools it offers useful – if you haven’t already joined the TradeHelp Buying Group, make sure you do so in the Settings area, to ensure that you can access your cash back and savings.

Some of the highlights for us:

• Over 350 installers, ACS centre managers and manufacturers came to see us to register their interest in the benefits we provide
• Over 150 installers joined up to our Buying Group whilst at the show and got their free welcome gifts (the insulated bottle was the clear favourite!)
• The endless stream of visitors, young and old, taking to the Isle of Man TT Simulator to try and bag some great prizes, including tickets to the Ulster Grand Prix
• Craig Neve, our sponsored motorcycle racer, setting the bar with a fantastic run on the simulator and sharing some tips on the day
• Not to mention over 500 bags of Real Crips and Nobby’s Nuts handed out to hungry visitors!

If you weren’t able to attend the event please do get in touch and find out more about what we can do for you, or download the TradeHelp app from Google Play or the App Store.  It is free to download and use and you can join our FREE Buying Group through the app too.

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The latest app release is now available from Google Play and the App Store.  A new ‘favourite’ quote template option has been added to produce professional quotes even faster, plus an ACS/OFTEC Training Centre search function helping you find the right centre for your training needs.

Favourite Quotes

To save even more time through the TradeHelp app we have developed a new ‘favourite’ quote solution.  Once you have created a full quote using your preferred manufacturers, you can now save the template as a favourite option with a description of your choice.  When it’s time to do your next quote you can go straight to the pre-populated template and make any minor adjustments in a matter of seconds.

To save as a favourite option, simply go to the quote actions button once the quote is built and select ‘Save as favourite quote’.  The option will then be listed underneath the standard ‘quote types’ in new quotes.  For a quick demo on how to use it just call us on 01978 666 887 and one of the team will be happy to talk you through it.

ACS/OFTEC Training

The other major update in the latest release is the inclusion of a training centre search feature.  Simply select the courses you are looking for and search via your postcode or current location.  The app will list all the suitable centres nearest to you offering those courses.  You can go straight to their website for more information or call or email directly from the app.  We have over 150 courses across the UK detailed on the app with some centres also offering special discounts to our TradeHelp members.

Through the app you can join the TradeHelp Buying Group and access cash back and discounts on central heating boilers, filters, fittings and many other related products.

The app also boasts a pioneering quotation tool, appointment management, personalised quotes and invoices, multiple payment options, and tailored purchase orders.

Don’t have the app yet?

Download from Google Play or the App Store today. Personalise your preferences to get the best from the app and sign up to the Buying Group in your settings.  It’s free to download and use…so what are you waiting for?!

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EU Skills announced in November 2017 that the country faces a 221,000 shortfall of skilled operatives.  Due to this shortfall, and to make the taking on of apprentices more attractive, the government will subsidise 90% of apprenticeship training costs for non-levy paying SME’s and 100% fund apprenticeships for those aged 16-18.

• 16-18 fully funded 100% by government (49 or less staff)
• 19+ 10% employer contribution / 90% contribution government

To aid this the wage bill for the apprentice can be £3.50 per hour for the first year, rising to age specific minimum wage until they complete the full apprenticeship.

Interested in taking on an apprentice?

If TradeHelp members are interested in taking on an apprentice paying only 10% of the training cost themselves, ECTA can deliver Level 3 Gas Engineering Apprenticeships to non-levy companies.

The learner would undertake an 18 month Level 3 apprenticeship with 20% ‘off the job’ training carried out at ECTA’s Stockport training centre and 80% ‘on the job’ training through a placement with the Gas Safe registered company, developing the skills and knowledge they have gained under a mentored work placement. This supports recruitment needs of the company, reducing cost in both recruitment and wages bill and allows the apprentice to be trained and developed in the manner which the company culture requires, underpinning recruitment, retention and qualification.

On successful completion, the learner will be Gas Safe registered (4 appliances) and have Functional Skills Level 2 in addition to completing their Level 3 qualification in Gas Engineering.

Want to know more?

ECTA are holding an open day on 23rd March at their training and assessment centre in Stockport.

ECTA Open Day

With the recent changes to the routes into the Gas Industry see how ECTA can help your business meet future staff requirements.

The short sessions (approx. 1 – 2 hrs) will cover:

• Apprenticeship routes – benefits for business, costs and commitments
• Managed Learning Programmes – benefits, costs and different delivery models

Tea, Coffee and Refreshments are provided.

So whether you are looking to upskill existing staff, or are thinking about how to meet future business staffing needs, call ECTA to find out your options for securing skilled gas engineers.

To reserve your place email hello@ectatraining.co.uk or call ECTA on 0161 480 5656.

For more information visit the ECTA website.

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