EXPERT VIEW

In this issue we are talking to Mick Clayton, CEO of GQA Qualifications, the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry’s awarding organisation. GQA writes the qualifications that those employed in the industry undertake to ensure they are competent to do their jobs and are able to deliver the highest standards of workmanship at all times. Their qualifications are delivered through over 200 centres throughout the UK.

A qualified and fully trained workforce is a critical part of the industry’s infrastructure, and essential to its ability to manufacture and install the vast range of products sold to consumers.

Here Mick talks to us about some of the work they are doing to raise standards even further by focussing on the personal and professional development of the industry’s workforce; he talks to us about the incredible range of career options for those looking to join the industry as school or college leavers, or as career changers; and he tells us about some of their non-industry work, an example being a first of its kind qualification they have written in partnership with the European Scouting Federation (British Association) that enables the achievement of badges by the boys and girls involved to be registered as a formal qualification which they can carry with them into their careers as an early years achievement.

“Those who know me know I am passionate about people development. Being CEO of GQA Qualifications is the perfect platform for me and those who work for the organisation to support people who want to be better at what they do, who want to develop themselves personally and as trades or business men and women. With over 100 industry relevant qualifications
and over 50 designated career paths, we truly believe that the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry is a home for everybody, no matter what their skill levels or their career ambitions. So, let me tell you a little more about the 50 career paths that the industry offers, all with the opportunity for training, qualifications and career progression”.

INDUSTRY CAREER PATHS

“Whether you have children of a school age, at college or university or are in a job yourself and thinking about a change of direction the industry has something for you”.

“There are roles indoors and outdoors and career options whether
someone wants to work with their hands or use their academic talents. As
I mentioned, all career paths in the industry offer training and support for career development as well as formal qualifications and the other great thing about the industry is that it doesn’t matter where you start. With the right attitude and dedication supported by training and qualifications a person can progress from being a trainee installer to managing their own company or from being a trainee factory operative to becoming factory manager. These are common achievements in our industry, and many of today’s business owners have followed that route. I would encourage everybody to look at the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry as a potential career of choice”.

If you want to find out more about the vast range of career paths offered by the industry you should visit ‘Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice’. Here you will be able to see the vast range of roles that exist, and by using the simple filter system identify what might be appealing to you. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do, but even knowing whether you want to work inside or outside is enough to narrow down the options so you can see the roles and rewards the industry offers through its careers paths.

https://www.uboom.co.uk/affiliates/building-our-skills-careers-in-fenestration/

TRAINING THE INDUSTRY’S WORKFORCE

Once in the industry it is essential that employees have access to training and qualifications, and GQA, as well as writing formal qualifications also provides a service to employers to enable them to accredit their own in house training programmes to help staff learn and progress.

Mick’s colleague Martin Sadler takes up the story: “We all recognise that offering training to employees is rewarding, it gives them a sense of belonging and can inspire them to be better at what they do – which brings its own rewards in terms of a sense of achievement, as well as being the basis for career progression further down the line”.

“Using our Accredited Training service means that employers can develop their own training to suit their employees or their customers’ needs with the GQA stamp of approval to show the quality of the training delivered. The GQA branded certificate we offer for employees is an important tool and highlights the third party endorsement we bring”.

“We recently undertook a great programme with AluK, specialists in the design and testing of aluminium products for the industry who wanted to add formality to the training they offer”. 

Darren Burford, Training Manager of the AluK Academy explained: “AluK provides training workshops in manufacturing, installation, product awareness and the use of the company’s design system. GQA provided third party accreditation for the workshops and our training days, providing invaluable guidance and support, especially in the development of our training programmes. GQA is a
real advocate when it comes to raising standards amongst the workforce and we know that what we have done has been well received by our employees and our customers. This can only reflect well on how professional the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry is, and why it is a great place to forge a career for anybody considering their options”. 

INDUSTRY FACT – DID YOU KNOW?

The Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry is the place where a phrase we are all familiar with came from – Daylight Robbery.

In 1696, William III of England introduced a property tax which required those living in houses with more than six windows to pay a levy.
In order to avoid the tax, house owners would brick up all windows except six. (The Window Tax lasted until around 1851, and older houses with bricked- up windows are still a common sight

in UK.) As the bricked-up windows prevented some rooms from receiving any sunlight, the tax was referred to as daylight robbery. 

OUTSIDE OF THE INDUSTRY

We mentioned earlier that GQA also contributes outside of the industry, and a recent piece of work with the European Scouting Federation (British Association) saw them develop a first of its kind qualification.

In a departure from its usual sectors, GQA has helped the organisation to standardise its approach to assessments and thereby also ensure Scouts’ achievements are more readily recognised and transferable.

The units in the qualifications are based on the badges that Scouts work towards, but with the difference that they remove Scout troops’ slightly differing approaches to delivery. Scouts will receive training at Scout camps, and assessment will be carried out by Scout Leaders.

The new qualification is the ‘GQA Level 2 Diploma in Traditional Scouting’. This qualification has been developed to give individuals the opportunity to prove an understanding of some of the principal aspects of scouting. The qualification is mainly knowledge-based, but additionally includes some practical tasks. The qualification is at a level that makes it suitable both for candidates new to scouting or those who have been involved with it already. It has been written for Scouts to demonstrate to potential employers that they have commitment and drive for learning and development.