We have known for some time that we are experiencing a serious skills shortage ; due to a range of factors . We have an ageing workforce which means that the rate of workforce retirement will continue to increase in the coming years and with a poor pipeline of young people being attracted into the industry this is set to widen the gap even further . People who do choose to come into the Industry from other industries , possibly attracted by inflated salaries , simply do not have the experience but are placed within the workforce to quickly learn , usually the good and the bad . Sadly , as salaries continue to rise to retain staff , there is little left in our competitive industry to factor in for training , or so it seems .
If you ask anyone in our industry , they will rate training as a priority in their business because , quite simply , the experienced fabricator and installer can help reduce errors and it can even realise savings on projects . So , given these savings , why are we not investing in training ? I believe it comes down to companies evaluating risk and hoping that problems just do not arise . As an industry , we must become much more risk averse and invest in training to achieve not
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only an anticipated profit , but to offer high quality installations which in the longer term will lead to premiums on contracts .
The Council for Aluminium in Building has long recognised that as an association we need to support our members with upto-date technical information and training which in turn enables a CAB member to raise their status in the industry when it comes to specifying and quoting for projects .
Since 2017 , glass , glazing or fenestration CSCS cards are only available via GQA Qualifications . With the support of the GQA , there is now a route to attaining a CAB Curtain Wall Installers CSCS Card
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which any installer can work towards . Furthermore , the training material can also be used by CAB members as a valuable training tool to teach the fundamentals of curtain wall systems to staff and new employees in associated roles within members businesses . The initial one day CAB introductory course forms part of a mandatory module leading to the award of a newly created CAB Curtain Wall Installers CSCS Card .
Applications to attend the Introductory Course for the CSCS qualification are managed by CAB and candidates apply by completing the enrolment form which can be found on the CAB website . CAB will then liaise with candidates to book a convenient course date with training being carried out by a GQA Approved Training Provider . The cost to attend the one-day course is just £ 249 plus VAT , but CAB members will qualify for a discounted rate of £ 199 plus VAT . Training Centres will offer guidance to delegates to apply for a trainee CSCS card , temporary card or renewal card . Further information regarding the criteria and process for applying for a CAB Curtain Wall Installers CSCS card can be found on the GQA Qualifications website .
The aim of the CAB one-day Introductory Course is to offer candidates an introduction to the extensive glazed walling seen on building structures known generally as ‘ Curtain Wall ’. So , questions answered for the candidate new to the Industry are , what is a ‘ Curtain Wall ’, what is its function , what should it do and how should it be constructed ? These are all questions explained by the Course in general terms . Common terminology used in
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describing the system and its functions are also introduced so that meaningful conversation and understanding can be made by candidates once the Course has been completed successfully . The Course has been designed to be a generic approach to curtain walling systems and covers the principles of construction that is common across all systems manufacturers .
For the more experienced curtain wall installer , the review of the fundamentals of the curtain wall terminology and construction are reintroduced along with the key issues of surveying , installation and fixing , interface details with other parts of the building structure are also covered to give the candidate a broad understanding of good practice . Expected levels of quality are introduced , as are potential areas of failure by way of example . The crucial implication of ‘ getting it right first time ’ is emphasised as remedial work required after completion can be both costly and difficult to achieve .
Once the One-Day Introductory Course has been successfully completed , the candidate will need to have achieved the relevant NVQ or Competency Update Qualification to be classed as fully trained and receive a ‘ CSCS Skilled Workers Card ’ candidates . Full guidance on the CSCS card process will be offered during the initial CAB One-Day Training Course .
Training is the key to overall quality , in turn , quality installations will place facade contractors onto preferred contractor lists , the greater choice of projects a facade contractor has to choose from offers both potential business growth and profitability .
www . c-a-b . org . uk
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