The campaigning organisation ‘Building Our Skills – Making fenestration, glass and glazing a career of choice’ (BOS) has expanded its national network of practical training centres, adding two new sites. One is via a partnership with Build training, located near Heathrow airport, and the other is a collaboration with Glass and Fenestration Training Solutions (GFTS) in Cornwall. BOS hopes to begin hosting live courses at the two new locations next month (March 2022).
Build is an independent training provider that works with learners aged 16 to 75, facilitating entry into the construction sector. Marcia Wootton, Build’s head of centre, and Jane Gunn, Build’s head Of construction, jointly stated: “It’s great to be part of the Building Our Skills ‘family’. The aims of BOS and Build are very much aligned.
“We’re fans of what BOS is trying to achieve, and hope that we can contribute to this too. We’re passionate about the fenestration industry, and want to help address the skills gap from which it is suffering. In particular, we can help to encourage younger people into the industry by ensuring they see the real career opportunities it presents.”
GFTS offers a broad range of apprenticeships, training and qualifications in many aspects of fenestration. These include glass processing, installation and surveying, curtain walling, glazing, fabrication of glass supporting systems, and associated qualifications. Samantha Tinker, GFTS’s director of business and quality said: “Here at GFTS we also share the aims of Building Our Skills, and believe it’s vital to encourage new people into the fenestration industry.
“Qualifications and good-quality training are a means of helping learners to carve out a career in the industry and help business managers to retain their staff and compete competitively. We back Building Our Skills totally, and are very pleased to be part of its network of training providers.”
In addition to its original practical training academy at Sheffield, and the two new practical training centres, Building Our Skills aims to adding further sites, including one in the Scottish Borders. All practical training content is formally GQA accredited, giving learners a skills card to carry with them to show their achievements.
John Ogilvie, BOS’ director, said: “Here at Building Our Skills we strongly believe that practical training is the way forward for the industry. Opening these two new centres is a great step forward for the industry and demonstrates our commitment to raising standards in fenestration.
“It’s gratifying that we are able to offer training to support industry employees to do their jobs to the highest standards, and that we are now able to do this on a regional basis which has obvious appeal for those wanting to train.” For more information about BOS, visit buildingourskills.co.uk or profitter.org.uk.
