Annual Predictions
AN INITIATIVE FOR THE WHOLE INDUSTRY
Stephanie Tague is Head of Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice
» WE LAUNCHED OUR NEW look website just before Christmas , in readiness for 2021 . We have designed the site to be really easy to use , and to enable visitors to see at a glance exactly what we are trying to achieve with the support of the industry . If you are not already a supporter of Building Our Skills , I would urge you to take time during 2021 to get involved , or get in touch with me and let me talk you through our aims and goals .
The website is easy to use and provides a range of information for Fenestration Industry employers who share the concerns of many in their peer group about skills shortages that are increasingly affecting the industry . We are all well aware of the difficulties in finding installers , and that ’ s just one aspect of it . Our aim is to bridge the skills gap permanently over time .
The site includes information on how to get involved in our two major campaigns designed to raise awareness of the Fenestration Industry , ‘ Inspiring the Future ’ in association with FENSA and ‘ Everybody FIT ’ S in association with The FIT Show . I would urge everyone to look at what we are doing and get involved if you can . These campaigns are for the benefit of the whole industry .
Visitors to the site will also be able to learn about the work of our Practical Training , Inspiring Talent and Business Academies based in Sheffield , and with learning content also available online as we adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis . Sheffield is the first of what will become a network of centres during 2021 and 2022 established to deliver innovative training courses across all aspects of the industry to support new entrants to the market , and those already in it looking to make the Fenestration Industry a long-term home for their career .
All courses are fully accredited by GQA Qualifications , the industry ’ s leading awarding body .
Those interested in supporting Building Our Skills or its initiatives can go to www . buildingourskills . co . uk
Survey Reveals Parents ’ Insights into the Fenestration Industry
Mick Clayton , CEO GQA Qualifications
» IN AUTUMN LAST YEAR , hot on the heels of comments by the Universities Minister that the education system has been too geared to directing young people onto further education courses that do nothing to prepare them for later life , we commissioned a YouGov survey to see what parents with school age children thought .
The nationwide survey , which returned over 1,000 responses , brought to light some fascinating insights into their attitudes towards university attendance , vocational training , careers and qualifications , alongside their wider perception of the fenestration industry .
Over 60 % of respondents agreed with the thoughts of the Universities Minister 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 .
Our thoughts have been the same for a long time , so it was good to get some third-party validation confirming it .
It is clear going forward we need to make the Fenestration Industry more visible to the outside world . We need business leaders to get the message out there that help is at hand for young people , and that vocational training , careers and qualifications are viable alternatives to university for them . This is one of the key roles for the Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice campaign .
I am , however , hugely heartened by the survey 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 . I would hope that as the reputation of the industry continues to improve year on year , more and more parents would encourage their children down this route when they are of employable age . More parents taking part in the survey agreed with the idea of the fenestration industry being a potential career path for their child than those who did not . This is certainly welcome news .
www . gqaqualifications . com
24 » JAN 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM