The first training centre for installers appears in Ukraine: how a new generation of specialists will be trained

The basis for developing training programmes at the TPC will be the professional standard “Installer of window and door structures”, developed by the Ukrainian Manufacturers of Transparent Structures Association. This document defines the knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies required of a modern specialist in window and door installation.

The document is available on the Association’s website in the “Regulatory framework” section. This means that anyone interested in future training can already ознакомиться with the professional foundation on which programmes, practical training and the approach to achieving a new level of installation quality in the industry will be built.

Training at the TPC will take place primarily in an offline format, as it involves preparing specialists for whom practical skills are essential. Installation of window and door structures cannot be mastered properly through theory alone, so the main focus is on working in a training environment with real assemblies, materials, tools and installation technologies.

At the same time, certain theoretical modules, consultations or supporting learning materials may be delivered in a more flexible format if needed. However, the core model is in-person training, enabling not only knowledge acquisition but also the development of real professional competence.

For young people enrolling after Year 9, training in the profession will last 3 years. For applicants after Year 11 — 1 year. This is the format under which the Kyiv Professional College of Civil Engineering will recruit students.

Separate programmes are also planned for adults — for upskilling, retraining or acquiring practical skills. Their duration will be shorter and depend on the specific training programme.

For full-time education of young people at the Kyiv Professional College of Civil Engineering after Year 9 or Year 11, training is generally provided within the vocational education system and may be funded by state or regional orders. This means that, subject to admission conditions and current funding arrangements, training may be free of charge for students.

As for short-term programmes for adults, upskilling courses, retraining or specialised practical courses, their cost will be determined separately depending on duration, content and format. Relevant information will be announced after specific courses are launched.

The training programme will be built around the real work of an installer on site. It is not only about theory regarding windows, doors, profile systems or installation materials. The main focus is on understanding the entire process: preparing the workplace, checking the opening, properly preparing the structure for installation, positioning it, fixing it, sealing the installation joint, installing window sills and external sills, checking hardware operation and handing over the work to the client.

Practical training is a crucial part of the course. Installation is a profession that cannot be mastered properly through textbooks or videos alone. Therefore, at the TPC, students will work with real structures, tools, fixings, sealing and insulation materials. They must learn not just to “install a window”, but to do it correctly — taking into account geometry, safety, energy efficiency, airtightness and durability.

Special attention will also be paid to common installation errors, safety rules, communication within installation teams and interaction with clients. It is important that graduates understand not only the installation process itself but also responsibility for the final result, as even a high-quality window or door can lose its performance due to incorrect installation.

Regarding certification, this is one of the next key stages. Following the opening of the TPC, documents are being actively prepared for the establishment and accreditation of a Qualification Centre. This centre will be able not only to provide training but also to officially award and confirm professional qualifications.

For young people enrolling at the Kyiv Professional College of Civil Engineering, this is a standard admission process to a vocational education institution — after Year 9 or Year 11. No prior experience in construction or installation is required. It is an opportunity to acquire a profession from scratch and gradually progress from basic knowledge to practical skills.

For retraining programmes, prior experience specifically in window and door installation is also not required. These programmes are suitable for those wishing to change profession, move into construction or acquire a new skilled trade.

Upskilling programmes, on the other hand, will be aimed at experienced installers or professionals already working in the industry. Their purpose is not to teach from scratch, but to systematise knowledge, update skills and introduce modern materials, installation technologies and requirements for energy efficiency, airtightness and quality.

The TPC is designed to serve different audiences: young people choosing a profession, adults seeking retraining, and practising installers who need to improve their level or formally confirm their qualifications. The professional standard provides for initial training and retraining without experience requirements, as well as continuous professional development.

Practice and outcomes

Practical training is a key component. Installation of window and door structures cannot be mastered properly in a classroom alone, so training must closely replicate real working conditions.

The first stage of practice will take place at the TPC itself — on training stands, assemblies and real structures. Students will safely practise core operations: preparing openings, installing structures, levelling, fixing, sealing joints, installing window sills and external sills, checking hardware operation and other stages reflecting real on-site work.

Training placements at industry companies are also planned. The Association is currently forming a pool of Kyiv-based processing companies — Association members — where practical training can take place on real sites. This is important, as real projects provide experience that cannot be fully simulated: different types of openings and walls, team organisation, interaction with clients and contractors, and real production scenarios.

Such practice must be genuinely educational, not formal. It should be supervised by instructors, teachers or experienced specialists from partner companies. Students should go to site only after basic preparation at the TPC, understanding workflow, safety rules and responsibility for quality.

Graduates will gain not just individual installation skills but a full understanding of the entire installation process — from preparation to handover.

They will learn to read technical documentation, understand different types of structures — PVC, aluminium, timber — and correctly select tools, fixings and installation materials. A key part is opening preparation, measurements, geometry checks, positioning, fixing and sealing.

In practice, students will learn core installer tasks: safely handling structures, removing old windows or doors, preparing openings, installing structures, working with foam, vapour barriers and waterproofing materials, installing window sills and external sills, adjusting hardware and checking final performance.

It is essential that they understand why these operations are performed in this way. Quality installation ensures airtightness, energy efficiency, functionality and safety throughout the product lifecycle.

Students will also gain skills in site organisation: соблюдение safety rules, use of personal protective equipment, teamwork, communication with clients and responsibility for results. Graduates should be competent professionals able to work safely and to modern industry standards.

Yes, but the format depends on the type of training.

Students completing the full programme at the Kyiv Professional College of Civil Engineering will receive a skilled worker diploma in the profession of “Installer of window and door structures”.

For short-term programmes, retraining or upskilling courses, a certificate of completion may be issued.

Work is also underway to establish a Qualification Centre at the TPC, which after accreditation will be able to officially award and confirm professional qualifications, including for experienced installers.

Employers will recognise these documents because training is based on an industry-developed professional standard. This ensures the programme reflects real market needs.

However, it is important not only to issue documents but also to monitor graduates’ performance. While diplomas are not regularly reviewed, certificates issued by the Qualification Centre may require a control system: if standards are consistently violated, there should be mechanisms to review, suspend or revoke certification.

For employers, this means the document should be more than just “proof of training” — it should confirm professional responsibility and quality. The professional standard предусматривает both a skilled worker diploma and certification of qualifications.

Employment after graduation

The Association is forming a pool of Kyiv-based processing companies — Association members — where students can undertake practical training and potentially receive job offers. This allows companies to identify future specialists early, while students gain direct exposure to employers and real working environments. According to our observations, in Kyiv the average starting salary for a window and door installer is currently around from UAH 40,000 per month. Actual income depends on experience, qualification, employment format, company and project complexity, but this is already a competitive trade with strong demand.

Organisational aspects of the TPC

Training takes place in Kyiv at the WindowED Academy TPC at the Kyiv Professional College of Civil Engineering, located at: 31/37 Bolsunovska Street, Kyiv. Yes, the TPC provides all necessary tools, materials, training stands and real structure samples. Practical training groups will consist of up to 12 people. This ensures each student has sufficient time with tools, structures and materials, while instructors can maintain quality supervision. Training is delivered by college lecturers together with industry practitioners — specialists from companies working daily with window and door systems, installation materials and modern technologies. This combination of teaching expertise and real-world experience is a key advantage of the TPC.