INDUSTRY NEWS
GGF tackles skills shortage head on
The first cohort of apprentices to join the Glass & Glazing Federation ’ s Skilled Pathways Scheme , recently completed a five-day induction course at the Milton Keynes site of GGF scheme partner Total Support Training . The event marks an important milestone in the progress of the scheme that is intended to recruit and upskill the next generation of glaziers . The second cohort of apprentices will undergo their induction in August .
The course itself includes both practical and written elements , focusing on the following : -
Who the GGF are and what they do , History of Glass , Float Glass Process , Surface Coatings , Value Added Glass , including Heat treatment , Laminating and IGUS , When and Why should certain glass be used , Pre-Processing , Polishing , Beveling , Drilling , Brilliant Cutting , CNC , Building Regulations , CPR and Standards .
On top of the technical knowledge introduced to the trainees there are a number of practical tasks which provide a foundation knowledge of health and safety and basic glazing and glass processing skills . One of which is the delivery of the new manual handling course specific to our industry .
The GGF partners with Total Support Training to bring the Skilled Pathways Scheme to fruition , which was created to help GGF members and the wider sector with a means to attract talented , skilled workers into the industry . All whilst contributing towards the Government estimated requirements of 500,000 additional skilled workers needed by 2050 to help meet its Net Zero policies .
The GGF Scheme plans to cover Glazing , Glass Processing , Fenestration , Fire Resistant Glazing , Window Film Application and Technical Administration , but as the scheme builds in momentum , more specialisms are expected to be added .
“ We are immensely proud to have brought this scheme , which is unlike any other available in the industry , to reality ,” commented GGF Group managing director John Agnew . “ We are funding training up to £ 4000 per GGF Member Company and the completion of this first stage will encourage other companies to commit , after so many have shown interest .”
www . ggf . org . uk / training /
6 AUGUST 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM