INDUSTRY NEWS
GGF TACKLES SKILLS SHORTAGE HEAD ON
» THE NEW GLASS AND Glazing Federation ’ s Skilled Pathways Scheme has welcomed its first cohort of candidates in a bid to recruit and upskill the next generation of glaziers . The Federation is determined to incite action now to meet ambitious Government targets ahead of deadline .
“ The Government ’ s objective to achieve net zero by 2050 will require an estimated 500,000 additional skilled workers in the construction industry , including the glass , glazing and fenestration industries ,” explains GGF Group Managing Director , John Agnew . “ We need to act now to get the right people in place
and upskill so we can continue to be an important part of the green agenda in construction .
“ Working in partnership with Total Support Training and GQA Qualifications , this new programme is unlike any other apprenticeship scheme in our industry . We are funding training up to £ 4000 per GGF Member Company as part of the pilot scheme to aggressively attract more businesses to take part . The scheme will also have a very clear and focussed career trajectory for candidates , to ensure we keep the programme of upskilling on track .”
In the first instance the GGF Skilled Pathways Scheme plans to cover Glazing , Glass
Processing , Fenestration , Fire Resistant Glazing , Window Film Application and Technical Administration , but as the scheme builds in momentum , this list is set to grow .
Among the first to take advantage of the Skilled Pathways Scheme is Prentice Glass , who has three candidates starting . Joanne Jackman , General Manager of Prentice Glass commented , “ We ’ re very pleased to be taking part in the GGF Skilled Pathways scheme . Being one of the oldest glazing companies in London , we know how important it is to get young glaziers trained in the industry . Being part of the GGF has meant that we have half of the training costs funded , providing an excellent opportunity for the apprentices and the company . Exciting times are ahead , we hope to support the GGF and see many more schemes in the future .”
www . ggf . org . uk
Industry veterans prepare for ‘ Loneliest Road ’
» FORMER GLAZERITE UK GROUP chairman John Hewitt has announced his latest ‘ Kelly ’ s Heroes ’ fundraising challenge for mental health charity , We Mind & Kelly Matters ( WMKM ).
Sponsored by the VEKA Group , the epic 52,000-mile cycling challenge will see John joined by his daughter Amy to raise awareness and funds for WMKM , the charity founded in memory of John ’ s late daughter and Amy ’ s sister , Kelly .
Setting off from Burgos , Spain on 10th September 2022 , which coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day , three teams of four cyclists will undertake consecutive relays over 10 days . The arduous route takes them through France , where they will take on the world-famous Mont Ventoux , before finishing the European leg on 19th September at VEKA ’ s headquarters in Sendenhorst , Germany .
From there , 12 riders head across the pond to take on the epic Highway 50 east-west route across the United States . Kicking off in New York , the team will cycle 3343 miles to San Francisco before finishing the ride on the Golden Gate Bridge on 10th October 2022 ; coinciding with World Mental Health Day . Part of the route includes the infamous stretch in Nevada known as the ‘ Loneliest Road in America ’.
It ’ s this road that John has chosen to name the challenge after and is particularly poignant given the lonely nature of mental health .
The epic month-long fundraiser follows on from the charity ’ s 1000-mile journey from John O ’ Groats to Land ’ s End in 2020 when Kelly ’ s Heroes raised over £ 130,000 . The funds raised for WM & KM have since enabled the charity to roll out mental health support services such as counselling , support groups , and an online emotional support service for people living in Northamptonshire and beyond .
VEKA Group is the main sponsor for the event , with further support has come from others in the industry , including Bohle Ltd and Central Window Systems .
The Loneliest Road has some rider positions left . If you are interested in taking part or would like to know how you can support Kelly ’ s Heroes ’ Loneliest Road challenge , watch https :// youtu . be / 12yI2dnozig
6 JUNE 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM