13 minute read
Careers & Qualifications in Fenestration
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
NEW APPOINTMENTS NEW APPOINTMENTS
SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROMOTIONS AT BUSINESS MICROS
The Business Micros Group continues to go from strength to strength following the acquisition of The Consultancy and Glazing Vault in 2020 and the ongoing investment in its new TOUCH software platform.
As part of its growth, the company has announced several promotions within its core Business Micros operation, designed to ensure that customers get an even better purchasing, installation and support experience. The senior management team now compromises Nick Bailey as Head of Sales, David Stockwell as Head of Installations, Jude Knowles as Head of Operations and Group HR and Glynis McKnight as Head of Finance. Directors Graeme Bailey and Jim Cronie remain in strategic roles, overseeing the whole of the Business Micros Group. Between them, Nick, David, Jude and Glynis already have almost 90 years’ experience with the business, so customers are in very safe hands. Jude Knowles explained: “As a team, we are now managing the day-to-day operations of the PVC-U side of the business, reporting to Graeme and Jim, but giving them more time to shape the future development of the Group.” Nick Bailey commented: “We will be working much more closely together so that customers get a more rounded and joined-up service from us - all the way from initial enquiry right through to follow up support. We’ll be looking to strengthen our partnership with customers and introducing ways to increase the value our software can bring to their businesses. “Customers can expect to see new subscription options, even more efficient installation processes and new support tools such as online tutorials, videos and downloadable guides. Our focus is on making us an even better company to do business with.”
Graeme Bailey added: “The huge amount of experience across the team means they are more than capable of handling anything that gets thrown at them. They’ve got some exciting new plans, but at the same time they offer the kind of continuity which I know our customers really value.” More details at: www.businessmicros.co.uk.
Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has launched its action plan for the next twelve months. The plan reflects its commitment to bridging the skills gap by working closely with employers and other organisations to attract new entrants to the industry. The plan also includes Building Our Skills’ commitment to encouraging employers to upskill their existing workforce, inspiring and encouraging them to see the industry as a home for their long-term career ambitions, as opposed to just a job ‘for now’.
For the first time the plan will also showcase the sheer breadth of career paths that the industry affords, and Building Our Skills will be looking for support from the industry to make this resource as complete as possible. In addition, an employers’ forum is to be created by Building Our Skills to get as much input and support to help promote the industry as widely as possible. Central to Building Our Skills’ work will be a focus on wider engagement with the Education Sector in order to raise awareness of the industry to a potential future workforce; and identifying and actioning ways to bridge the skills gap through working with people who are seeking a change of direction immediately. The latter means partnerships with the Armed Forces, Ministry of Justice, Department of Work and Pensions, Support Groups and Charities.
The organisation’s focus on the Education Sector will see it further develop its ‘Inspiring the Future’ campaign. This campaign has been designed by the Education and Employers Organisation specifically to connect the education sector with the world of work; while also in its plan to target the Education Sector is Building Our Skills’ new ‘Inspiration Days’ programme, designed to open up industry factories and facilities for school visits.
With upskilling existing industry employees being a key objective, Building Our Skills has developed a range of Academies to do just that. Its Inspiring Talent Academy is designed to support employers to be able to inspire and encourage employees to commit to the industry as a long-term home for their career ambitions. Its Practical Training Academy is set up to help deliver a skilled on-site workforce and the Business Academy offers a wide range of learning and training opportunities, including specialist sales training. A copy of the full plan can be downloaded directly from Building Our Skills website www.buildingourskills.co.uk.
GQA INTERVIEWS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JUSTIN
RATCLIFFE
This year GQA Qualifications celebrates twenty years of trading. As part of the activities to mark the event is a series of interviews with the directors of the organisation. Here we talk to Justin Ratcliffe.
What does being a Director of GQA mean to you?
It's a huge honour to serve the organisation, and I've been doing so for the last eighteen years. To be part of GQA's exciting journey from its initial offering of seven qualifications to its current range of over 120 is simply brilliant. It's very gratifying to see these qualifications now being delivered by over 100 GQA centres. Down the years I've been fortunate enough to have been part of some very strong boards that have worked with great synergy to support the excellent CEO and his team.
What do you think are the strengths of GQA?
Without a doubt the main strength of GQA is its outstanding team and its passion to raise standards and competency. GQA only involves itself with industries that its staff have significant experience of, which I feel is key to its success. From speaking to GQA's centres at annual conferences and events, it's clear the incredible support they receive. It's been fascinating and rewarding to see how GQA has developed relationships with these centres, and its agility in quickly developing new sector-specific required qualifications. Another key strength is GQA's ability to create bespoke qualifications aimed at employers who wish to be able to offer their staff and customers undertaking very specific roles the opportunity to work towards a qualification where one doesn't already exist.
What does your experience bring to the table?
I've worked across a range of blue chip companies before heading up the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) for 19 years. I'm passionate about GQA getting its strong messaging out into the marketplace, and like a typical marketeer I'm often pushing for an increase in marketing spend!
What changes have you seen in GQA over the past twenty years you'd like to highlight?
I believe it's essential for the board to give strong, strategic direction, but equally important to allow our excellent CEO a high degree of flexibility in driving the organisation forward. Over the years we have seen Mick Clayton expertly carry GQA through a period of continuous growth. Having worked on developing a number of new qualifications on behalf of two trade associations has given me fantastic insight into how the organisation works and what makes it tick.
How important do you feel qualifications and training are?
Vital! Qualifications are a standard against which everyone can be benchmarked equally. A key industry phrase is 'increasing competency', and I've never believed this would only happen through courses based purely on attendance. There needs to be a test of understanding and knowledge gains. Government is using powers within the Building Safety Bill to make regulations regarding competence. These regulations will impose requirements on anyone carrying out any design or building work to be competent for their roles.be a stark reminder to employers that not only qualifications but also ongoing training are not simply optional but are business critical. As a board member I try to practise what I preach, and my new trade body, The Balustrade and Balcony Suppliers and Installers Association (BABSI) is starting to develop three one-day essential knowledge courses leading to a GQA/BABSI skills card in addition to a new NVQ Level 2 in Balustrading and Railings. This is a great example of GQA's ability to create bespoke qualifications. Previously, I worked with the CAB training committee to develop a curtain walling installers leading to the award of a CAB curtain wall installers CSCS card.
Justin Ratcliffe
Where do you see GQA heading in the future?
with its expanding network of centres will develop further qualifications to address industry needs not only for the immediate future but for many years ahead. GQA has developed some exciting initiatives over the last twenty years, none more so than that of Building Our Skills, which has garnered far-reaching support across our sector. With its growing network of training centres across the UK, I predict that Building Our Skills will be one of the organisation's most enduring legacies. With an ageing workforce we all have a duty to get behind the initiative, and each give our time to talk to schools and colleges about the exciting opportunities our great industry offers.
More information on GQA is available at www.gqaqualifications.com.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
BUILDING OUR SKILLS APPOINTS MARK HANDLEY AS PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has appointed Mark Handley as Partnerships Manager.
Formerly Sales and Marketing Director at Consort Limited, Mark has over 30 years’ experience in the fenestration industry in roles spanning fabrication, installation, technical support, sales and marketing. He will effectively ‘be the face of’ Building Our Skills’ activities, liaising directly with employers and other organisations in the fenestration, glass and glazing industry to raise awareness of the work the organisation is doing, and to engage more support. The appointment is a key part of Building Our Skills’ formal action plan for the next twelve months, which reflects the campaign’s commitment to bridging the skills gap, and working closely with stakeholders to attract entrants to the industry. Building Our Skills also has at its core the objective of encouraging industry employers to upskill their existing workforce, inspiring and encouraging them to see the industry as a home for their longterm career ambitions, as opposed to just a job ‘for now’. Commenting on the new role, Mark said: “I’m delighted to be on the Building Our Skills team and part of an initiative whose objectives and activities I so admire. Like all those involved, I am passionate about the industry, and have seen firsthand over many years the amazing career opportunities there are. What I want to do now is play a major part in getting that message to the outside world as a key part of our efforts to help bridge the skills gap.” Mark will be working hard to raise the industry’s knowledge of Building Our Skills’ various initiatives, details of which can be found on the company’s website. For more information on Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice - visit www.buildingourskills.co.uk.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Leading trade fabricator Modplan has further strengthened its Sales Management team with the recruitment of two new Business Development Managers, Gareth Burgess and Matthew Davies. The team, headed up by Field Sales Manager Ian Lewis has over 75 years of combined industry experience, and the team is focused on supporting Modplan’s existing and potential new customers.
Ian comments: “We’re delighted to welcome Gareth and Matthew to the team as we further strengthen our sales support and customer development focus. The two new appointments reflect the high level of importance we attach to providing excellent customer support across all areas.” Both Gareth and Matthew are no strangers to the industry, having previously worked for several high-profile businesses. Their level of industry experience and dedicated customer focus will be important to the Newport-based trade business as they continue with their growth strategy. Having successfully completed their induction programme in the new onsite Modplan Training Academy, Gareth and Matthew will be visiting customers throughout the coming weeks. Ian said: “Modplan is a progressive company and our impressive product range and support services make us a strong partner for customers. Our bespoke training programme is designed for all new employees to understand the depth and breadth of the business offer so they can hit the ground running.”
L-R: Gareth Burgess, Ian Lewis and Matthew Davies
Modplan continues to strive to exceed customers’ expectations and remains a strong and reliable partner. The company manufactures a comprehensive range of products that includes Veka Matrix 70 and 70FS, Halo Flush Sash windows, Liniar windows and doors, a dedicated painting facility, PVC-u patio and bifold doors, conservatories, and the Vertex, Wendland, Ultrasky, Livin room and Leka roofing systems. Ian concludes: “We are witnessing considerable business growth which has resulted in several largescale investments being made within the business to support our customers. This is an exciting time to join Modplan and I am confident that Gareth and Matthew will positively impact the business.”
Tel: 01495 246844 –www.modplan.co.uk
TRAINING
DHF ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RESUME TRAINING IN IRELAND
Following a two-year ‘pause’ as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced its plan to resume its training programme in the Republic of Ireland. In a very positive meeting held in Dublin on 28th April with Ireland-based members, DHF’s Head of Commercial Operations, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens, General Manager & Secretary, Michael Skelding, and Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Steve Hill, outlined the federation’s intention to recommence one and two-day training courses.
In July 2019, DHF held a one-day public Level 2 Award in Automated Gate and Traffic Barrier Safety in Ireland, and such was its success, a second public training day for installers and maintenance operatives of automated gates took place in February 2020, a course that was open to all, whether a member of DHF or not. At the time, Patricia described the expansion of training into Ireland as a ‘leap of faith’: “We were delighted by the uptake of training courses in Ireland in 2019, and again in February 2020 and had planned regular events to build on this success,” she explains. “However, following the onset of ‘lockdown’ in March 2020, these had to be put on hold. We are very pleased to be able to kickstart our training in Ireland once again, and following our meeting with members last month, it is evident there is a genuine enthusiasm for this.” DHF’s offering will comprise two-day courses (which will remain as members’ private courses), and one-day courses, both of which will complement any future auditing requirements. The one-day course will once again comprise five learning modules with a short examination following each and presents examples of past failures and prosecutions, as well as giving the learner the ability to accurately conduct and document a risk assessment.
“Last month’s meeting was the first faceto-face gathering to take place since early 2020 and it was great to see so many members engaging with our training strategy. Since the meeting we have already received bookings for training courses from members in and around the Dublin area for their staff and customers, and Senior Training and Compliance Officer Steve Hill is ready to start in July.” says Patricia. “They continue to help DHF by promoting safe and compliant installation and maintenance of Automated Gates, Industrial Doors, Garage Doors, Doorsets including fire doorsets, and we are keen to grow our membership here.” For further information on DHF training courses, please visit: https://www.dhfonline.org.uk/
