Master Fitter challenge the most exciting yet

The Master Fitter Challenge has been a key feature at every FIT Show so far and once again the competition will challenge the skills of some of Britain’s finest window, door and roof installers. Felt by many to define the FIT Show by highlighting the crucial aspects of installation, this year the event will be held in the biggest ever finals Pavilion with finalists skills being tested on the installation of bi folding doors (provided by ALUK), roof lanterns (from Atlas), residential composite doors (from Apeer) and casement windows (Epwin Window Systems). And to add a further twist Edgetech’s Trufit pre-compressed foam sealing tape is part of this year’s challenge. Appropriately, industry competent persons scheme FENSA is the overall sponsor of the Master Fitter Challenge.

The Master Fitter Challenge is a real test of installer skills but, says Mick Clayton of competition managers GQA, the skills being tested should be well within the capacity of every installer working in the industry today: “What finalists are being asked to do are tasks they will encounter on a daily basis,” explained Mick. “What we look for is just how skilfully, thoughtfully, thoroughly and safely they carry out those tasks because there is a chasm between a good and bad installation as we all know. But there is nothing here that should deter any professional installer from entering.”

Mick’s comments are the final rallying cry as entry for the 2017 Master Fitter Challenge closes at the end of March, with the next FIT Show not taking place for another two years.

The FIT Show’s Paul Godwin emphasised the rewards for what will amount to a just couple of days spent competing at the FIT Show and in the most exciting environment: “We have cash prizes totalling £10,000, £5,000 of which goes to the overall winner. We provide overnight accommodation for all finalists and they are our guests at the FIT Show Gala Dinner at which the winners are announced and presented with their cheques.

“But every winner so far has told us it was the pride that counted, that they had competed at what they do on a daily basis and shown they were the best amongst other great professionals that also made the effort to compete.”

The closing date for entries is March 31^st. The process is very simple explained Mick Clayton: “Fill in the entry form on the FIT Show website to start the ball rolling. One of our assessors will call and ask some pre-qualifying questions. The next stage is we come and see you work on site during a normal installation; and after our assessors report their findings the lucky six then get to compete over two days at the FIT Show. Competing is simple; it’s how well you compete that is the difference.”

The Master Fitter Challenge is open to all professional window, door and roof installers subject to minimum professional requirements and competencies. Closing date is 31^st March. Enter now at: http://www.fitshow.co.uk/master-fitter-challenge/application-form.