Training & Skills
GQA Interviews New Non-Executive Director
GQA Qualifications has appointed Chris Beedel , Head of Government Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations at the GGF as a non-executive board director . Here the fenestration industry ’ s leading awarding and qualifications-writing organisation chats to Chris about his new role .
What does being a Director of GQA mean to you ? It ’ s an absolute privilege to have become a director of GQA . I ’ ve worked in the fenestration industry since 2017 , but been very involved in compliance all my working life . I ’ m therefore well steeped in competent persons schemes , and one of my goals is to try to ensure that qualifications remain high on the agenda of the GGF and FENSA . I ’ m confident that together we can make decisions that positively affect the industry ’ s future workforce .
What do you think are the strengths of GQA ? One of GQA ’ s key strengths is its longevity : this year the organisation is 21 years old . Over its lifetime , GQA has seen many changes in the industries in which it operates , none more so than in construction and fenestration . However , it has successfully adapted in order to remain relevant and useful . Today , GQA helps to ensure that the attainment of qualifications is meaningful in securing professional development and long-term careers . It ’ s wonderful to see GQA front and centre in fenestration , and playing a key role in the frameworks that shape and manage the industry ’ s future .
What does your experience bring to the table ? I ’ ve been very fortunate to have had a varied and international career , whilst focusing mainly on quality assurance . From the world of polymer science to that of electronics , I have seen a good range of management cultures . Hopefully I can therefore bring to the table a breadth of knowledge not only of fenestration but also of the manufacturing processes and good governance of other sectors . Having been a director at FENSA for many years I learnt that corporate independence and impartiality are vital to good governance . These are certainly approaches I ’ ll be bringing with me to GQA .
What changes have you seen in GQA over the past twenty years you ’ d like to highlight ? Modifications to the building regulations form a key backdrop to the changes I ’ ve seen GQA have to accommodate . In addition , the organisation has diversified successfully and now operates in multiple sectors , not just fenestration and construction . Diversification into new markets and adaptation to new regulations have both required a nimble and flexible approach from GQA . This ability to evolve has helped it become the impressive organisation it is today .
How important do you feel qualifications and training are ? They ’ re very important . In this post-Grenfell world , proving competency is going to be more vital than ever . Qualifications will be under the spotlight , and we need to ensure that they are fit for purpose and genuinely providing opportunities for the future . There ’ s a driving test analogy that I believe is apt here : knowing the theory is
fine , but putting knowledge into practice is equally important . Behaviours on site are going to be under scrutiny and that ’ s no bad thing .
Where do you see GQA heading in the future ? Changes in the regulatory system and the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator ( BSR ) are likely to bring about a step change in skills , knowledge , education and behaviours , and the competence framework will have to reflect this . The good news is that standards in the industry will be driven upwards as a consequence . In addition , consumer confidence in the fenestration industry is bound to rise . The industry is currently facing some of its biggest challenges yet in retraining and reskilling , and I see GQA playing an important role in addressing them . I also expect GQA ’ s activities will help to answer the needs of the Future Homes Standard , which will have a positive impact on improving standards in residential construction . All in all , I am very optimistic about the future of the fenestration industry and therefore that of GQA .
www . gqaqualifications . com
98 SEPTEMBER 2023 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM