HAI Certificate in Hardware Retail and Merchanting – Latest News

With the Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) Certificate in Hardware Retail and Merchanting underway, we look at the latest in the students’ learning, and how sponsors Octabuild are supporting students Product Knowledge. 

The nine-month long mentor-based programme is back for what will be another highly successful year. The programme is designed to equip those new to the hardware retail/builders merchanting sector, and those in need of more structured training, with a knowledge and skills base that will enable them to contribute to the business of their employer. It will also help employees build a career in the sector.

The students’ learning commenced in early September with the first Zoom-based module, covering Communication Essentials, which was delivered by Noel Davidson from the Entrepreneur’s Academy. It was a highly interactive, and by all accounts enjoyable, session with break-out rooms, group discussions and exercises, all designed to help the students enhance the power of good communications and to have a positive impact on others.

The session was followed by a highly comprehensive Product Knowledge module on Heating Products, presented by Keith Scully from Octabuild member Grant Engineering. The session covered key technical and market FAQs students might face from DIY and trade customers, looking at products such as heat pumps, alternative fuels and energy consumption.

The next session was Selling Skills, delivered by Terry Harmer in late September. Terry’s highly interactive workshop used break-out rooms and discussion to help students think differently about their day-to-day interactions with customers, with a lot of link-backs to Noel’s Communications module.

This session was followed by a Product Knowledge module in Paint & Décor presented by Derek Keyes from Dulux Paints, another Octabuild member. Derek delivered a highly interactive presentation on the technical aspects of paint products, to help them understand the use of solvents and other key questions they might face from customers.

Up next, in October, Terry Harmer returned to present on Customer Service. This was another highly interactive workshop designed to help prepare the students for any key interactions or potential conflict they might face with customers.

This session was followed by another highly insightful presentation by another Octabuild member, this time by Vincent Loughran from Kingspan Insulation on Insulation Products and the industry.

Octabuild Members sharing their Product Knowledge

HAI is delighted to be working with Octabuild and its members (Dulux, Etex, Glennon Brothers, Grant Engineering, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan, and Wavin) to deliver a series of Product Knowledge modules, giving students a full rounded view perspective of the industry. The remaining modules to be covered are:

• Insulation Products – Kingspan Insulation
• Roof and Timber Products – Etex and Glennon Brothers
• Plumbing Products – Wavin Ireland
• Cement Products – Irish Cement
• Fasteners & Fixings – tbc
• Garden Products – tbc
• Hand and Power Tools – tbc

Octabuild Chairman Ray Molyneaux comments on the group’s involvement this year: “Octabuild is delighted to sponsor the HAI Certificate in Hardware Retail and Merchanting for the second year running. We very much appreciate the importance of growing talent in the merchant trade, which offers significant opportunities, and value the knowledge that this programme offers to participants. We look forward to sharing our own expertise in industry specific product knowledge modules for participants and working with them as they progress through the programme.”

HAI looks forward to working with Octabuild in sharing their Product Knowledge and experience with students in the coming year.

For more information about the HAI Certificate in Hardware Retail and Merchanting contact Aoife at aoife@hardwareassociation.ie or call 01 2980969.