Shropshire windscreen company celebrates NVQ success

Charlie Oakley, 22, is the latest windscreen fitter at National Windscreens, which has branches in Telford, Oswestry and Wolverhampton, to undergo his NVQ in Automotive Glazing.

James Morgan, director of the family run firm which was launched in Telford 33 years ago, said it was important for the staff to gain qualifications whilst also doing the job every day.

Mr Oakley, from Madeley, who joined National Windscreens after leaving school said he did not want to go to college but wanted to go straight into learning a physical trade but was eager to also gain some more qualifications.

“I loved my job as a windscreen fitter from the day I started and with the support and expert advice and guidance from my colleagues I was able to reach a high enough standard for my boss to see my commitment and allow me to start my NVQ.

“It means I get to learn all aspects of the automotive glazing industry and the training ensures I work to the first-class standard which National Windscreens expects,” Mr Oakley said.

Director James Morgan, whose parents Dave and Janet set up the company on Halesfield in 1979 before opening further branches in Wolverhampton and Oswestry, said: “Charlie was enthusiastic from day one which is why he got the job and if a member of staff shows that willingness to learn and progress then we are happy to embrace that by putting them through such courses.

“It gives them some ambition to reach the top of their industry and be the best at what they do.

“It is a physically demanding job which is done in all weathers and all locations so they have to be able to prove they can fit all windscreens and door glass to the highest possible standard which our customers expect and get delivered each and every time.”

Mr Morgan said several members of his staff had completed their NVQ with the firm when the qualification was first launched and were still with the company which employs 30 members of staff across the three branches.