INDUSTRYNEWS FROMTHEEDITOR
Going through the changes
As I sit down to write my monthly magazine introduction , it ’ s 11am , 26oC and the sun is shining from a beautiful blue , cloudless sky . A quick glance at my weather app however , forecasts that by the time you sit down to read this , it will be approximately 10 degrees cooler and tipping down with rain ; depending on where you are . My point ? Things change , and that ’ s ok .
» WHAT IS TURNING OUT TO BE A glorious day for me today would not be so enjoyable if it was all the time , plus I ’ d have to water the plants in my ‘ yarden ’ more often , and then I really wouldn ’ t enjoy it .
One of my friends likes to joke that he ‘ doesn ’ t like change ’ quite a lot . Many agree with the sentiment . Change can feel uncomfortable , it makes us wary and nervous . How often do we say the words ‘ same again ’ at the hairdressers , ‘ my usual ’ at the pub or ‘ if it ain ’ t broke , don ’ t fix it ’ as a quip ?
They are all personal life examples , but when put into a professional context it isn ’ t just boring , it can be dangerous to our own business and detrimental to the industry as a whole to always do the same thing . We don ’ t tend to use the word ‘ change ’ when we get a new job , it ’ s a promotion or career move . In design and development , we don ’ t ‘ change ’ products we evolve , improve and innovate . When it comes to services and software , we upgrade and update .
Life would be very dull without change , but industry would be even worse . We need those designers and developers to keep changing the way we think about the materials and methods we use . We need the men and women in business to keep changing their jobs to mix things up and help us all get and stay motivated . We need legislation and regulations to change to keep us safe and secure . And , we need people in property ; domestic and commercial , consumers and specifiers , admirers of classic and contemporary ; to keep changing their ways of working and living to further fuel fenestration as an industry .
The world changed almost beyond recognition last year , and as a whole we adapted to the ‘ new normal ’ and as an industry we changed in ways we never would ’ ve imagined ; almost entirely for the better .
Now , it ’ s 11.30 and I always have a cup of tea and two biscuits for my morning break .
See you in September , same time , same place , Gemma , Editor
GQA Grows its Field of Influence
» 2021 MARKS THE 20TH year of operation of GQA Qualifications . During the past twenty years , the organisation has been humbled and honoured to find its influence growing amongst a broad range of key stakeholders and decision-makers . Today , the number of committees , initiatives and collaborations to which GQA has been welcomed has never been higher .
The links between GQA and Building Our Skills are firmly established with GQA ’ s Chief Executive Officer , Mick Clayton , being on the Board of this initiative to help make fenestration a career of choice . However , perhaps less well-known are some of the other organisations with which GQA is helping to shape future decision-making . For example , GQA Chairman , Mike Morris , is part of a Parliamentary Review Group , and GQA has featured in the ‘ Parliamentary Review ’ talking about the importance of qualifications . This is a guide to political and industry best practice in management is sent to over 500,000 leading business executives .
Mike Morris and Mick Clayton are representing GQA on The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , which is chaired by Lord Blunkett . The Council brings together the influential industry figures from across the country .
In addition , GQA staff are to be found on the following committees and groups :
• The RISA Board . RISA is a UKAS accredited inspection body for the fenestration and construction industries .
• BEABF , a committee of the Awarding Bodies that work in construction
• The CAB Training Committee . CAB is the Council for Aluminium in Building .
• The GGF Health and Safety Committee and GGF Members meetings .
• The Steering Group for PAS 2030 + A1 / PAS 2035 + A1 - Retrofitting dwellings for improved energy efficiency .
• The official review of BSAu242 - Windscreen Repair Standards .
• The committee reviewing BS10125 - Vehicle Repair Standards .
• The Sector Advisory Group for Vehicle Repair and Automotive Glazing . This is a group set up to identify and advise the industries on competence solutions and approved CPD .
• The CITB Competence and Skills Group . This is a working party representing all CSCS card schemes to develop a competence framework , including a review of the CSCS card renewal process .
www . gqaqualifications . com
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