CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS IN FENESTRATION
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SPONSORED BY GQA AND BUILDING OUR SKILLS GQA Qualifications is the only issuer of CSCS cards for the Glass and Fenestration industries. Building Our Skills is a strategic campaign designed to help bridge the growing skills gap in the Fenestration Industry
CAREERS
NEW APPOINTMENTS
GQA IN OFFENDER REHABILITATION SUPPORT GQA Qualifications are the awarding body working with Novus in a major nationwide offender rehabilitation training scheme. The fenestration industry’s leading awarding and qualifications-writing body is working closely with Novus to deliver training programmes that raise the aspirations of offenders, increase their employability skills and opportunities to find sustainable employment, and help them to build positive futures for themselves, their families and communities. For almost 30 years Novus has been helping men, women and children of all ages and abilities, in custodial and community settings across England and Wales, to take new directions. Novus works in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), Youth Custody Service, HMPPS Wales, G4S, charities and employers to help individuals turn their lives around. GQA is now working with Novus at 14 of its sites, and expects this number to rise over the coming months. The pandemic has greatly affected how training can be delivered, and both GQA and Novus have had to adapt swiftly to online methods and in-cell learning. So far, all participating learners have been working towards an NVQ Level 1 in Health & Safety. Before the pandemic, learners in two prisons had additionally been able to benefit from
“We’ve seen substantial uptake in training from learners at all 14 prison locations, and I’m pleased to be able to say that we anticipate this not just continuing but increasing quickly.” 68
BRISANT APPOINTS NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR TO SUPPORT ONGOING GROWTH
practical training resulting in an NVQ Level 1 in The Principles of Window & Door Installation. At the time of writing, it is anticipated that GQA approved centres will shortly be able to restart practical courses inside custodial settings. In addition to achieving NVQ qualifications, learners can also benefit from the fact that GQA is the sole issuer of CSCS cards for the fenestration industry. For ex-offenders to be able to leave prison with a CSCS card to present to site managers is an additional step on the road to employment. Commenting on its relationship with GQA, Novus’s Awarding Organisations and Compliance Lead, Karen Rose says: “One of the main attractions of working with GQA is its unique ability to provide a combination of qualifications plus CSCS cards. We are extremely pleased with the level of support GQA is providing, and look forward to working with the organisation to develop its involvement with more of our centres in prisons around the UK.” Simon Smith, who heads up the support programme with Novus for GQA added: “We’ve seen substantial uptake in training from learners at all 14 prison locations, and I’m pleased to be able to say that we anticipate this not just continuing but increasing quickly. It’s extremely gratifying to be involved in such a worthwhile initiative. I feel that not only are we making a difference for ex-offenders, but we are also really helping to address the industry’s skills shortages too. I’m proud that GQA can be part of this whole rehabilitation process.” More information on GQA is available at www.gqaqualifications.com.
Brisant Secure has appointed a Finance Director, a new role created as part of the hardware house’s growth plan. Clive Burnett joined Brisant Secure in June, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in finance. His expertise and knowledge will complement existing skills within the company’s senior management team and help the business to develop further. Before joining Brisant, Clive spent 20 years in the confectionery industry overseeing various complex integrations and supporting the continued growth of Valeo Confectionery into a highly profitable business. Valeo’s roots go back to 1848, and the company owns famous brands like Barratt, Fox’s Glacier Mints and Poppets. Looking at all the brands in Valeo’s portfolio, it’s hard to imagine anyone reading this who hasn’t enjoyed its products at some point or another. Clive says: “Brisant Secure has seen phenomenal growth over the past few years and it’s an exceptionally well-known brand in the trade. It is the strongest out there for what it does. Brisant is all the more impressive because its growth is organic, which is harder to achieve. “I want to develop on the strong foundations already in place and to improve procedures to allow the business to get to that next level. Small businesses that grow rapidly require systems to be put in place to allow for the next stage of growth. I want to ensure there are no barriers or blockages and that the infrastructure can support that ongoing growth. “I recognised a huge opportunity with Brisant Secure and I’m excited to watch the
Brisant appoints new Finance Director to support ongoing growth
business continue to thrive. I feel like I’m part of an important management team and I am looking forward to being a key decision maker in the business.” Nick Dutton, CEO of Brisant Secure, says: “Appointing Clive as our new Finance Director is part of our plan for growth which, at its centre, is the development of opportunities for customers. Clive’s knowledge, expertise and experience will help Brisant Secure thrive even further and his connections will help us to be an organisation that is fit for purpose each step of the way as we grow and develop. We are delighted to welcome Clive to our team and look forward to working with him as Brisant continues to flourish.” Brisant Secure has been raising standards in the door industry since it burst onto the locksmith scene in 2013 with its ultrasecure Ultion family of locks and Sweet, its suite of beautiful corrosion resistant hardware. The company has featured in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 for the past two years as one of the UK’s fastest growing businesses. Discover more at www.brisant-secure.com, call 01924 410 200 or email contact@brisant-secure.com.
July 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk
