6 minute read
CONSUMER ADVICE & INFORMATION
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
The heart of the Fenestration Industry
If you book an appointment for an electrician to come and work in your home, or someone to work on any of your gas appliances you rightly assume that they have been trained and carry the right qualifications to prove that they can do the job.
However, perhaps when you engage a company to come and replace your windows and doors, or build you a conservatory or orangery you don’t think about it the same way? But you should. Those who install windows and doors and create beautiful livings spaces in your home should also have undergone practical training and carry industry relevant qualifications in just the same way as those who come to your home to carry out other works. Training and qualifications are as readily available in the Fenestration Industry as in any other and have been for many years. Today’s industry is governed by stringent building regulations to which those manufacturing and installing windows and doors must adhere, and most companies are investing widely in their staff, ensuring they have the right skills to do their work to the highest standards. The fact is that many window and door installers do carry these qualifications and you should always ask them the question; it is a sign of their commitment to quality and an assurance for you that you are likely to get a job well done. GQA Qualifications is the fenestration industry’s leading awarding and qualifications writing body and we are committed to playing a key role in driving standards up within the industry.
#BIGGREENQ
“QUESTION – ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH WHAT THE WORD ‘FENESTRATION’ MEANS?
“Answer - Fenestration is the placing of apertures in buildings to provide light, shelter and security. It has been taken up for centuries by builders, and is a process dating back to the earliest examples of construction such as castles and other historic buildings”.
“Question - Did you know that this is the most recognised image associated with the UK for visitors from overseas”? We all recognise it of course as the front door to 10 Downing Street, but more importantly it is Fenestration, and a great symbol of the role our industry plays in society.
Think about all the buildings you have ever seen, here in the UK and on your travels abroad and ask yourself this question, “What’s different about this building?” “Answer – it is the only man-made structure deliberately designed not to have any windows or doors in it!” Can you think of any others? The answer is probably ‘no’ which tells you how important a role the use of windows and doors plays in everyday society, and why with a turnover of £4.6 billion per year the Fenestration Industry is so incredible.
“With a turnover of £4.6 billion per year the Fenestration Industry is an incredible industry and offers over 80 career paths for those looking for a home for their skills”.
As we have said, the Fenestration Industry offers over 80 career paths for those looking for a career for their skills and ambitions.
Among many partnerships it is involved in GQA is a major supporter of the Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice campaign which was established to raise awareness of the industry as a great place to forge a career and to attract new entrants to the market.
And on this subject, homeowners may be interested to see the results of a YouGov survey commissioned by GQA into the attitudes of over 1,000 parents with school-age children concerning university attendance and vocational training. The survey results revealed that over 60% of respondents agreed that for decades we have been recruiting too many young people onto university courses that do nothing to improve their life chances or help with their career goals. In addition, over 75% agreed that vocational training, careers and/or vocational qualifications could be beneficial to young people as an alternative career path to going to university. Heartening for GQA was the survey’s revelation regarding how the fenestration industry is perceived by the parents questioned. Over half of respondents were not averse to their children one day entering this industry. It is to be hoped that year on year more and more parents will encourage their children down this route when they are of employable age. The government’s recent white paper on its commitment to greater funding for vocational training reinforced the view held by those that responded that there is clearly need for a different approach in the future, and organisations like GQA and industries like the Fenestration Industry are in the perfect position to help to bring this to fruition.
For more information about the careers in the industry, and vocational training opportunities email sayhello@buildingourskills.co.uk or visit: www.buildingourskills.co.uk.
More information on GQA is available at www.gqaqualifications.com.
Shaped shading for your shaped glass
Glass is – quite literally – a window to the outdoors which allows us to enjoy natural light and views from the comfort of our homes and businesses. For many, they have been a saving grace during this time of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders.
In broader terms, glazing is increasingly becoming used as a feature piece in buildings thanks, in part, to a desire to implement biophilic design. With this, a huge array of fantastic shapes and sizes have come onto the market and, with such brilliantly shaped windows, it makes sense to complement them with a blind or shutter which neatly fits the structure.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking shading devices are limited to standard shapes and sizes of glass but even circular windows can be shaded using pleated, roller or Venetian blinds or even shutters.
But it doesn’t end at circles - almost shape of glazing can have a shading device fitted be it triangular, rhomboid or a mix of different shapes! You name the shape and there’s almost definitely someone in the shading industry who can help shade it. Beyond the obvious visual benefits of considering adding a blind or shutter to your window, there are other reasons why you should complement your glass with a blind or shutter. For a start, the comfort and energy saving benefits of are clear to see.
Open your shading in the morning and let the light flood in and heat the building in the winter. When the clouds come over, close the blind and keep the warmth in and use them the opposite way when there is too much light or heat. And you needn’t even be there to do this…
Photo: S:CRAFT
Like most things in life, the shading industry is currently undergoing somewhat of a technological revolution. When it comes to operating blinds, shutters and awnings, motorisation is an option which is now offered across the board by BBSA members and brings with it a number of benefits. You can connect your blinds to your smart device and home hub so you don’t have to get off the sofa to close them or you can set a timer to close them automatically if you’re not there. Motorisation is also inherently child safe. Raising awareness of the importance of window blind safety is the shading industry’s top priority and, because operation is done via neatly concealed motors, this eliminates the need for operating cords and chains. Visit www.makeitsafe.org.uk for more information.
Furthermore, automation also brings the added benefit of increased security. Windows and glazing can be a security weak point in your home or business but with motorisation you can close your blinds or shutters wherever you are and whenever you want for peace of mind while you’re not there.
