For me it was sad that my dad passed away when I was 12. Otherwise he would be my teacher (he started his window cleaning company in late 70’s). I basically learned by my self. Some others showed me, but they never really was dedicated in my training.
I remember how difficult I thought it was. Sometimes I was thinking of giving up. But practice, practice, practice…
But I can see how important it is WHO train a rookie. In my company some new guys were trained by one of those “fast” guys, but he’s “cheating” a lot, and not thinking so much of the detailing. Those rookies were shaped by that.
When I train rookies (like now, my 17 year old sister son), they can see I have a lot of proud of my work, and I’m a little of a nerd in this profession. So like my sister son, his really meticulous now and even he hasn’t the speed yet I know he will be a great window cleaner.
And I really like to get advice from other good cleaners. For a year ago we hired a 25 year great guy. He’s been cleaning windows since 18 and he’s really good. I have asked him a lot and by him I have picked up really good things. He has for example made my ladder technique so much better!
I have a white belt in Squeejitsu. Grimefighters start out with black belts then upgrade to gray belts then brown then the highly coveted white belt!
My pole work wasn’t very smooth but I shoveled the Master’s driveway many dark mornings so he hooked me up.
Hasselhoff!
Is that your home gym, Malcolm? 
Peer training/hands on method. In fact my previous jobs: construction, manufacturing: modular homes, travel trailers, and fifth wheels have all used that method. Which is amazing when there are so many buildings codes involved and potential code violations with improper training. As production workers we were all compensated the same high wages; this lead to making sure the trainee’s understood proper techniques and correct methods used. I believe in this type of method as opposed to reading, because you get to deal with real world situations.
Not exactly, but the gym is my home.
My company is a sponsor for the semi-pro fight team that is based out of that gym. I want to learn how to do something for the fight team once I get some spare time. Maybe I could learn to work on cuts.
I get the sense, Malcolm, that you lead an incredibly interesting life. 
Nope no formal training at all, just bought some equipment, rang around for work experience which I did not want to be paid for and from there on learned everything from the people that wanted to teach me!
Eventually later on down the track they gave me some shop runs to take care of because they knew how I worked and that I could get the jobs done seeing it first hand from the work experience I did for them!
I think being trained by multiple people is key. I was first trained by some one who was self taught. Part of what I didn’t like was that he showed me poor techniques because it was all he knew.
After that I was trained by 3 different high rise guys. The two main guys had 20 years experience each and the 3rd had 15 yrs but had the most wfp experience. Between those 3 I learned good techniques for all kinds of situations from construction cleaning, residential, high rise, wfp, tall pole work. They were all iwca certified as well. It definitely cuts down the learning curve
Self taught. Some Youtube videos, some WCR videos, some Unger and Sorbo videos, some reading from Window Cleaning Coach, guys and gals on here, clean windows, repeat till get it right.
I actually have a degree in piano tuning and repair.
I make 10x more tinting and cleaning windows with very little formal training and tons of formal practice.
My training consisted of cleaning windows to apply tint for about 15 years. Doing all the wrong window cleaning techniques! Then one day about 5 years ago someone asked me to clean the outside of the windows I just tinted. I started with a borrowed squeegee, white doodle bug pad and squirt bottle. Lol when I got home that day I started researching and found “how to start a residential window washing business” by Steve Wright. A short time later I found the WCRA.
Bam! Window cleaning is about 20% of sales now.
So what does that actually mean, does that mean they pay an members fee and become certified or they were assessed and found competent, coz i can send $250 to the Australian Window Cleaning Federation and get certified or whatever but so can a lawn mower man.
It was is a certificate that assesses that you are competent in rope access. It has nothing to do with cleaning technique
From the IWCA isn’t that the International Window Cleaners Association?,
Wouldn’t rope access guys get certified from IRATA or SPRAT?
http://www.iwca.org/?CertificationTypes
rope decent and suspended scaffolds
accesses = assesses
