Meet the training experts from Aqualisa

MEET THE TWO DAVES

Aqualisa's Shower Training Experts

David Beattie, Northern Technical Product Trainer

David May, Southern Technical Product Trainer

I have been lucky enough to train qualified installers in both Belgium and Dubai as Aqualisa’s products have achieved success in both countries."

This month The Installer magazine speaks to David Beattie and David May – the Northern and Southern Technical Product Trainers at Aqualisa, respectively. Both trainers talk about their career, training and the work Aqualisa are carrying out with apprentices and installers within the UK.

Can you tell us a bit about your careers? What was your background prior to your current roles as Technical Product Trainer?

DM:Before joining Aqualisa in 2000, I had been in the plumbing and heating industry for about 15 years, working in a variety of roles including sales positions and as a plumber. I originally joined Aqualisa as a service engineer before moving on to a Technical Product Trainer, a role I have enjoyed for the last 17 years. You wouldn’t think I was that old, would you?

DB:When I was 16, I started an apprenticeship in Northern Ireland for Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF) before working full-time as a heating engineer for Willis Heating in Belfast. After this, I worked as a self-employed service engineer for 16 years, servicing a range of products from various shower brands including Aqualisa. Finally, I joined the Aqualisa team as a Technical Product Trainer, a position I have held for the last five years. David Beattie, much of your role in the North involves working with and training apprentices in colleges – can you tell us a little more about this?

David May, your training role has taken you beyond the United Kingdom, can you tell us a bit about the training you have been involved with abroad?

DM:During my time at Aqualisa I have been lucky enough to train qualified installers in both Belgium and Dubai as Aqualisa’s products have achieved success in both countries. These trips were a learning curve for me, as well as the installers, as they work with different systems to the UK so I had to adjust my training accordingly. It was certainly challenging but it’s great to expand my own knowledge, so I can pass that on in my training here.

DB:I work very closely with colleges, putting together training courses to help get Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices up to speed on installing showers, which is also a great introduction to the Aqualisa brand. Having gone down the apprentice route myself, I feel this helps me to relate to the students I meet on a regular basis.

The training seminars I present are always very well received. We present information on Aqualisa and effectively show samples of our products; including the original bi-metallic coil which has been used in a range of our showers for over 40 years. The course is also completely hands-on – for example, for smart and digital showers, we show them how to fit the smart valve and then they can try themselves. 

I work very closely with colleges, putting together training courses to help get Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices up to speed on installing showers."

You both conduct regular free training sessions for qualified installers to attend. Why do you think installers benefit from this?

DM: Installers need to know the products inside-out and understand what they offer to be able to talk to a customer about them. Demonstrating knowledge gives customers confidence in their installer and from our point of view, it makes such a difference if installers are able to iron out any queries ahead of their first installation.

We really appreciate the installers who come to our training as they essentially become brand ambassadors and with the influence they have over what their customers choose, having their ear is crucial.

DB: Digital showering is the way the market is heading, and it is imperative for all installers to be clued up on the concept. After attending our training, we feel that an installer will have the confidence to fit any Aqualisa Smart Digital product easily and efficiently – even if it’s their first time. It’s also handy for them to come along just to get a feel for our high-quality products.

You have both worked with Aqualisa products for a long time - what do you like most about the brand, and do you have a favourite product?

DM: The key for me is that I trust and like the products. Even before I started working for Aqualisa I liked the products and installed them myself. Due to this, there is a lot of loyalty to the brand which I enjoy seeing in the industry. Sometimes, I see students I have trained come back for refresher training after starting businesses of their own! With regards to my favourite product – I couldn’t possibly choose one out of so many!

DB: My favourite thing about the Aqualisa brand is the quality we can offer to installers and customers. For me, it’s difficult to choose between two products. I like the Aqualisa Q™ purely for the technological advantages and how it stands out amongst other products on the market. Nonetheless, the Aqualisa Quartz™ will always be my true favourite, I’ve always been smitten with the performance of the shower and I also admire its classic design, userfriendliness and simple ‘fit and forget’ composition for installers. The bi-metallic thermostatic technology found in a wide range of Aqualisa’s products is also a stand out characteristic for me.

David May www.aqualisa.co.uk www.aqualisa.co.uk/training

Digital showering is the way the market is heading, and it is imperative for all installers to be clued up on the concept. After attending our training, we feel that an installer will have the confidence to fit any Aqualisa Smart Digital product easily and efficiently."