Q&A with QCA Assessor: Stuart Fitchet

Following a successful programme of QCA assessments with KAEFER UK & Ireland at Rosyth Dockyard, we spoke with independent assessor Stuart Fitchet about his experience, what stood out, and the wider value of certification across the industrial coatings industry.

The assessments saw 12 successful completions across S1 Spray Painting and A1 Abrasive Blasting, delivered over two days on-site following completion of theoretical exams.

The QCA (Qualified Coatings Applicator) programme is an independent, third-party certification scheme that provides formal recognition of the skills, knowledge and competency of industrial coating applicators. Accredited by Lloyd’s Register, it sets a consistent benchmark for quality and safety across the industry.

Q: From your perspective as assessor, how did the QCA assessments at Rosyth Dockyard go, and what stood out to you?

“It’s great to be involved with an applicator certification programme that I feel very passionate about, especially having started out on the tools of the trade myself many years ago.

Once we got going, the assessments ran quite smoothly and, most importantly, they ran safely. The guys were acutely aware that they were going to be heavily scrutinised throughout their assessments, which naturally adds more pressure to the process. As the assessments got underway and the nerves started to subside, the guys simply knuckled down and got on with demonstrating that they could do the job they have been employed to do for many years.

There were many positive aspects that I could choose from over the two-day period, including the help and assistance I had from the KAEFER site team, but a special mention must go to Shane Davidson for his help alone.

What stood out most for me as the assessor was the level of skill, professionalism and dedication shown by each of the candidates.”

Q: How did you find the organisation and professionalism of the assessment process?

“As this was my first assignment as a QCA Assessor, I found the organisation and professional aspects to be well formulated and structured. Any questions I had for Ella and the team at Corrodere were always answered quickly and efficiently, which was greatly appreciated.

The practical results app is a game changer for conducting assessments in my opinion. Regardless of the type of assessment being conducted, S1, A1, etc., I found that the various stages and tasks were laid out in an easy-to-follow, chronological sequence. The tasks themselves acted as great prompts for the assessor to ask the candidates various task-specific questions in order to ascertain and gauge their understanding of the subject matter that they were being tested on.”

Q: How do you see QCA certification benefiting KAEFER and the wider industry?

“Accredited by Lloyd’s Register, the QCA certification programme provides a flexible pathway for industrial coating applicators to gain formal recognition for all of their hard work and dedication. Hats off to KAEFER for leading the way on this.

When any company takes the time to invest in the continuous professional development of their employees, it should be commended. They are sending a clear message not only to their employees, but to the entire industrial protective coatings industry that they are serious about achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards of quality and workmanship in all that they do. This makes KAEFER a shining light for others to follow.

By having QCA certified personnel on their books, KAEFER can assure great confidence in the overall competency and safety of their employees when deployed throughout various client assets worldwide. For industrial painters, abrasive blasters and sprayers alike, QCA certification is like the icing on the cake, adding formal recognition for all their hard work.

From a client’s perspective, it should provide greater confidence that KAEFER are supplying competent personnel who have obtained formal recognition via a completely independent third-party assessor. The more exposure the wider industrial coatings industry has to the QCA certification programme and its benefits, the greater the demand will be for participation.”

A Strong Result at Rosyth

With 12 assessments completed and a 100% pass rate, the programme at Rosyth highlights the value of independent certification in recognising workforce competency and supporting high standards across the industry.