TheGuild’s education programme is the only recognised programme in the world that leads to a qualification in architectural ironmongery to British and European standards. It is open to all industry professionals and trainees across the world, not just those within GAI membership. 

There are two qualifications available within the GAI education programme. The Certificate in Architectural Hardware (CiAH) consists of two stages with 24 education modules covering everything an architectural ironmonger is required to know. 

Once this has been completed, students may choose to continue their studies by enrolling for the GAI Diploma. This stage focuses entirely on the skills and learning needed for scheduling the architectural ironmongery, electric hardware and key control for a project, and is of particular importance to those architectural ironmongers working on projects being built to UK and European standards across the globe. Once they have completed the diploma, they become a DipGAI, an industry recognised symbol of professionalism. 

The 2019/20 education programme prospectus has been published on the GAI website, outlining the qualifications, course content and training support available. It also gives further information on becoming a Registered Architectural Ironmonger(RegAI) through the Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme. The programme offers flexibility forbusy professionals and far more opportunity to gain the CPD points. 

Enrolments are open from 2 September until 20 December 2019.  

For more information on how to apply for the Challenge Exam, email education@gai.org.uk.