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What does being a Director of GQA mean to you ?
It ’ s a huge honour to serve the organisation , and I ’ ve been doing so for the last eighteen years . To be part of GQA ’ s exciting journey from its initial offering of seven qualifications to its current range of over 120 is simply brilliant . It ’ s very gratifying to see these qualifications now being delivered by over 100 GQA centres . Down the years I ’ ve been fortunate enough to have been part of some very strong boards that have worked with great synergy to support the excellent CEO and his team .
What do you think are the strengths of GQA ?
Without a doubt the main strength of GQA is its outstanding team and its passion to raise standards and competency . GQA only involves itself with industries that its staff have significant experience of , which I feel is key to its success . From speaking to GQA ’ s centres at annual conferences and events , it ’ s clear the incredible support they receive . It ’ s been fascinating and rewarding to see how GQA has developed relationships with these centres , and its agility in quickly developing new sector-specific required qualifications .
Another key strength is GQA ’ s ability to create bespoke qualifications aimed at employers who wish to be able to offer their staff and customers undertaking very specific roles the opportunity to work towards a qualification where one doesn ’ t already exist .
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What does your experience bring to the table ?
I ’ ve worked across a range of blue chip companies before heading up the Council for Aluminium in Building ( CAB ) for 19 years . I ’ m passionate about GQA getting its strong messaging out into the marketplace , and like a typical marketeer I ’ m often pushing for an increase in marketing spend !
What changes have you seen in GQA over the past twenty years you ’ d like to highlight ?
I believe it ’ s essential for the board to give strong , strategic direction , but equally important to allow our excellent CEO a high degree of flexibility in driving the organisation forward . Over the years we have seen Mick Clayton expertly carry GQA through a period of continuous growth . Having worked on developing a number of new qualifications on behalf of two trade associations has given me fantastic insight into how the organisation works and what makes it tick .
How important do you feel qualifications and training are ?
Vital ! Qualifications are a standard against which everyone can be benchmarked equally . A key industry phrase is ‘ increasing competency ’, and I ’ ve never believed this would only happen through courses based purely on attendance . There needs to be a test of understanding and knowledge gains .
Government is using powers within the Building Safety Bill to
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make regulations regarding competence . These regulations will impose requirements on anyone carrying out any design or building work to be competent for their roles . be a stark reminder to employers that not only qualifications but also ongoing training are not simply optional but are business critical .
As a board member I try to practise what I preach , and my new trade body , The Balustrade and Balcony Suppliers and Installers Association ( BABSI ) is starting to develop three one-day essential knowledge courses leading to a GQA / BABSI skills card in addition to a new NVQ Level 2 in Balustrading and Railings . This is a
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great example of GQA ’ s ability to create bespoke qualifications . Previously , I worked with the CAB training committee to develop a curtain walling installers leading to the award of a CAB curtain wall installers CSCS card .
Where do you see GQA heading in the future ?
GQA will continue to work closely with the sectors in which it operates , and together with its expanding network of centres will develop further qualifications to address industry needs not only for the immediate future but for many years ahead .
GQA has developed some exciting initiatives over the last
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twenty years , none more so than that of Building Our Skills , which has garnered far-reaching support across our sector . With its growing network of training centres across the UK , I predict that Building Our Skills will be one of the organisation ’ s most enduring legacies . With an ageing workforce we all have a duty to get behind the initiative , and each give our time to talk to schools and colleges about the exciting opportunities our great industry offers .
More information on GQA is available at www . gqaqualifications . com
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