The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has launched a new apprenticeship, NVQ and training package designed to help members recruit and develop skilled engineers, with eligible businesses able to access training worth more than £11,300 per apprentice. Launched on 1 September 2026, the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship (Maintenance Pathway) will be delivered by DHF in partnership with Train’d Up and brings together an engineering apprenticeship, the recognised NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Specialist Installation Occupations (Construction) and a DHF Level 2 safety qualification.
The package has been negotiated specifically for DHF members and has a combined value of £11,300 plus VAT per apprentice. For levy-registered members and eligible apprentices aged under 25, the package can be fully funded, while employers taking on candidates aged over 25 contribute 5% towards the apprenticeship cost. The programme is intended to provide a practical route into the industry for school and college leavers, new entrants and existing employees moving into engineering maintenance roles, while also giving businesses a way to develop people already working in installation, servicing and maintenance. It runs for approximately 12 to 18 months, combining one day a week of tutor-led online learning with practical development and assessment in the workplace.
The package includes the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship (Maintenance Pathway), the EAL Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Operations (Knowledge), the EAL Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (Skills), the NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Specialist Installation Occupations (Construction) – Door, Shutter, Gate or Barrier Installation, Maintenance or Repair, and a fully accredited DHF Level 2 qualification chosen by the learner.
The NOCN qualification provides the recognised competence route for the sector and is based on workplace competence, with apprentices demonstrating their abilities through real installation and maintenance activities. It also provides the recognised route to applying for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card.
The specialist pathway covers servicing and maintaining systems, commissioning and the installation, repair and maintenance of door, gate and shutter systems, giving employers a way to develop engineering capability while maintaining the occupational competence required within the sector.
DHF members will also have access to a free apprentice recruitment service from Train’d Up, helping businesses find suitable candidates and supporting them through advertising vacancies, attracting candidates, initial screening, interview support, funding eligibility checks, onboarding and matching employers with apprentices. Once an apprentice has started, a dedicated Engineering Assessor will provide workplace assessment visits every eight weeks, with observations, portfolio support, coaching, mentoring and preparation for the End Point Assessment. Formal progress reviews involving the apprentice, employer and assessor take place every 12 weeks.
The package has also been designed to address two issues that can make businesses reluctant to put employees through an NVQ, namely the cost of the qualification and the concern that an employee may leave after gaining new skills. By bringing the apprenticeship, NVQ and DHF training together, DHF aims to make training more accessible while helping members develop and retain skilled employees. DHF’s CEO Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens said:
“For some time, our industry has recognised the need to develop the next generation of skilled engineers and create a clearer, more structured route into the sector. This new programme is a significant step forward in addressing that challenge. For the first time, employers can access an apprenticeship pathway that combines broader engineering skills with the specialist occupational competence our industry requires. Importantly, it brings together the apprenticeship, the recognised NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma and DHF’s sector-specific safety training within one structured programme.
“This package has been many years in the making, and over the past two years, DHF has worked with Train’d Up to bring these elements together and get this over the line for our members. We know that cost has been one of the barriers to putting employees through the NVQ, with the concern that an employee could leave after gaining the skills and qualification. We wanted to find a way to address both issues while giving members a practical and affordable route to develop their people.”
Jamie McVey, Chief Commercial Officer at Train’d Up, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with DHF to launch this bespoke programme for its members. At Train’d Up, we are passionate about working closely with employers and industry bodies to create training solutions that genuinely meet the needs of the sectors they serve, and this partnership is a fantastic example of that approach.”
The apprenticeship is not limited to new entrants, with existing employees also able to use the programme to gain new skills and recognised qualifications. DHF members can use the route to support succession planning, develop their existing workforce or bring new people into engineering roles.
DHF members can register their interest today: https://bit.ly/3UZUxyc
Find out more about the programme: https://bit.ly/4qIdQbn
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