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THERE IS A CLEAR UPSURGE
INSTALLERS | FABRICATORS | GLASS PEOPLE
IN THE INDUSTRY THE RIGHT PEOPLE READ GLASS NEWS
WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT
“At a consumer level, you wouldn’t find anybody who thinks gas engineers are anything other than professional, trustworthy and reliable. People just know that these engineers will be fully trained, qualified and competent to carry out the works they are asked to do.” Said Mike Morris, Chairman of the Fenestration Industry’s awarding body, GQA Qualifications. “Consumers make the purchasing decisions behind the greatest number of windows and doors sold in the UK, their perception of our industry is key. Ask yourself this question: do they view our installers in the same way as they view gas installers?” Mike, an engineer and educator by profession also works with regulatory bodies and authorities, liaising with employers and developing standards and qualifications in various sectors. He has spent the last 30 years trying to help raise awareness of the importance of people development and skills accreditation through industry relevant qualifications. “Some companies have achieved this recognition on an individual basis but as an industry we are not quite there. I have witnessed the massive change in the industry in recent years. The outstanding technical products now produced, deserve to be recognised for what they are and should not be under-valued because of poor installation practice. A fully trained and qualified workforce is the only way to change the consumer perception of our industry. Why should glass be any different to gas?
IS !! TH NTH MO
Chairman of GQA Qualifications, Mike Morris, sees an opportunity for the Fenestration Industry to learn from what other sectors have done to give confidence to the consumer.
Issue 97 | April 2019
SEE PAGE 82
SEE PAGE 10
FIT SHOW PREVIEW I am encouraged to see the recent upsurge in the industry’s commitment to training, development and qualifications. Every month there are more stories in the industry press about individual companies taking their people forward through learning and skills development. I also note the GQA Qualification registration figures are at the highest level I have seen in the 20 years since I became its Chairman. GQA’s strap line: Quality through Qualifications, is clearly gaining traction. The industry’s on-going campaign: Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice, is starting to deliver new people to the industry. The message from them is clear – they value structured training, accredited through recognised qualifications. When people embark on a career in fenestration, this is their expectation and we must all fully commit to it. Continued on page 24...
“Consumers make the purchasing decisions behind the greatest number of windows and doors sold in the UK, their perception of our industry is key. Ask yourself this question: do they view our installers in the same way as they view gas installers?”
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