The National Caravan Council (NCC) is the trade body for the tourer, motorhome, caravan holiday home and park home industries. The company employs more than 100,000 individuals and provides a service to over 1.7 million caravan and motorhome owners in the UK.
What does the National Caravan Council do?
It is the responsibility of the NCC to promote best practices to assist members in becoming more competitive. It is also to develop effective public policies and ensure that they are implemented efficiently. When dealing with government and regulatory agencies, the organisation represents the industry’s collective voice. The NCC quickly disseminates information to its members to protect their interests and provide them with a competitive advantage.
The NCC offers a wide range of benefits designed with the business needs of its members in mind. Such services keep them up-to-date on the latest technological advances and legislation changes shaping this industry.
Members of the NCC all over the UK rely on the organisation to provide a strong voice in developing policy, legislation and regulations. In addition to developing strategic lobbying plans, the National Caravan Council drafts legislation and advises policymakers on the potential effects of proposed legislation or regulation using its government relations and legal expertise.
Ultimately, the organisation is committed to improving and protecting its members’ interests among critical decision-makers. In addition, the organization regularly updates its members concerning legislative and regulatory issues which affect their businesses.
The National Caravan Council’s Codes of Practice serve as a clear benchmark. As an industry, they will be working to raise standards and improve public protection while building upon shared values. They developed these codes of practice with the sole aim of promoting the best possible services.
The NCC developed several Industry Guidelines of Good Practice to address key industry issues. The NCC created a collection of self-regulatory Industry Consumer Code schemes (e.g. NCC Approved Dealerships), each governed by its own Code of Practice.
What are the Benefits of Joining the National Caravan Council?
There are several benefits to joining the NCC. Some of these include;
Training
It is the role of the National Caravan Council to provide comprehensive training to people working in the industry and provide opportunities for professional development. The NCC Training Academy is a unique initiative that provides access to mandatory, technical, operational, operational management and business training in the caravan, holiday and residential park home industry.
Business Management
Through the NCC, people are empowered to advance the business by focusing on the following areas strategically:
- Individual and team performance management
- The process of improving business operations
- Technical and quality control
- Stakeholder and customer service delivery
- Planning
- Commercial acumen
- Innovation
- Creativity and ideas
Some of these individuals may be leading smaller teams, while others may be specialists or project leaders. A potential senior leadership role could be attainable through developmental efforts, and they could be considered for future executive positions in the organization.
Marketing and Advertising
Marketing and advertising are two significant areas of your Combined Purchase and Licence Agreement covered by the Caravan Holiday Home Ownership – Code of Practice.
Resale of the Holiday Home
When reselling a Holiday Home, you should understand your combined purchase and licence contract, how the sales process is carried out, and any commissions paid to you.
Combined Purchase and Licence Agreement for a Caravan Holiday Home: Code of Practice
Park and sales managers must adhere to the principles of good practice and minimum standards outlined in the 13 modules. In addition, the guidelines serve as principles for selling new and pre-owned Holiday Homes, notably if you are issuing a ‘Licence Agreement’ to occupy a pitch or providing warranty and maintenance services.
Electrics
A wide range of electrical courses and qualifications is available through the NCC Academy.
Rights to and terms of the License Agreement
Identify whether licence agreements are compliant with consumer law and the Code of Practice, and determine whether they comply with the terms and conditions of the contract.
NCC Managing Safety
Managers and employees can take this course to become familiar with health and safety standards. A primary objective of the course is to provide managers with the crucial information they require for the management of health and safety in their sphere of responsibility and influence.
It is the equivalent of the Level 2 H&S course. It can be completed as a prerequisite for the Safe-siting course.
NCC An Introduction to Risk Assessment
This online short course covers risk assessment in the workplace, including guidance, legislation, and case studies.
With this online training course, anyone at any level, from any sector, can gain guidance on assessing the risks that arise in their daily work lives and how to administer these assessments using tried and tested methods.
Industry Code of Practice
The code consists of 3 subsections, which, when looked at together, comprehensively cover all aspects of the industry. This includes
- Marketing
- Advertising
- complaint handling
- deliveries,
- Ordering
- Warranties.
The Central Registration & Identification Scheme (CRIS)
Ensuring all tourers are easily identifiable by their unique VIN. Furthermore, The CRIS ensures there is a comprehensive database of history available.
Why Be A National Caravan Council Approved Dealer?
To the consumer, holding the NCC tick shows you are both a registered and a compliant dealer;
The NCC check & approve vehicles in the touring and caravanning industry. Most notably, the company ensure they meet UK & EU legislative standards. Therefore, buying a home, caravan or vehicle with an NCC tick ensures there have been comprehensive safety checks on:
- Gas installation
- Electrical installation
- Emergency windows and doors
- Ventilation
- First precaution
- Structure
- Stability
- Beds/bunks
- Heating system
- Thermal insulation
Along with the blue tick scheme, the National Caravan Council produces several guides to allow the consumer to have a better quality of information to hand when making a purchase. Purchase from an NCC Approved Dealership should therefore ensure consumers will be treated fairly and professionally.
There are also several helpful guides available on their website www.TheNCC.org.uk. The guides aim to make a consumer’s vehicle purchase as straightforward and comfortable as possible.
In conclusion, the National Caravan Council act in the best interests of the UK caravanning and touring industry and the retailers, dealers and consumers serviced by it.
Below is a promotional video by the NCC. You can read more on static caravan ownership here.