Close collaboration with Bohle, the components manufacturer and supplier, showcases the benefits of GQA’s ‘Accredited Training’ service, and is helping the company to raise standards in UV bonded glass technologies and practices.
GQA is the fenestration industry’s leading awarding and qualifications-writing organisation. Its Accredited Training service is aimed at employers in the industry who want to have their in-house training endorsed by GQA Qualifications and gives them the opportunity to deliver training that focuses on candidates’ particular needs specific to their role with the employer.
When Bohle wished to develop an optional unit on UV glass bonding as part of a pre-existing Level 2 and 3 NVQ Diploma in Glass Processing, the company turned to GQA’s specialist service to put it in place. This optional unit is now helping Bohle to shape accredited training in UV glass bonding offered by the company today.
Amanda Carr is Bohle’s UV Bonding UK Technical Specialist and is a qualified trainer and assessor in adult learning. She explains:
“Working with GQA hasn’t just resulted in a qualification tailored perfectly to our customers’ and partners’ needs, it’s really given us the opportunity to promote the benefits of UV bonded glass technologies as a whole. Offering accredited training with a specific standard against which learners can be measured is ideal. This approach is helping to raise standards in this part of the fenestration industry, and needless to say it’s a very positive thing for Bohle with which to be associated.
“I really appreciate the impartial support we’ve received from GQA to help maintain and improve industry standards. It’s great that we have such a comfortable relationship with the organisation that results in a productive, open dialogue. Insights from GQA on how we can develop and improve our training offering are invaluable. We’re looking at more ways we can work with the organisation to support our customers further through accredited training. In particular, the area of glass handling is a focus, and we’re also assisting the GGF to achieve standardisation of approach where possible.”
Commenting on its Accredited Training service, GQA’s EQA/Technical Officer, Martin Sadler says:
“Using our Accredited Training service means that employers can develop their own training to suit their employees or their customers’ needs with the GQA stamp of approval to show the quality of the training delivered. The GQA-branded certificate we offer is an important tool and highlights the third party endorsement we bring. We can also help to develop specific courses in the consultation phase of our collaboration.”
In addition to its Accredited Training service, GQA also offers one in ‘Bespoke Qualification’. Together, the two specialist services are helping the fenestration industry to develop training solutions tailored to the specific needs of employers and their staff. The two initiatives mean that employers can create and accredit in-house developed training courses and learning programmes in addition to utilising existing qualifications.
GQA’s Bespoke Qualification service is aimed at employers who wish to be able to offer those staff and customers undertaking very specific roles the opportunity to work towards gaining a qualification where one does not already exist. The service is perfect for niche specialist areas, which do not lend themselves to meeting the required content of a standard regulated qualification.
GQA has close to 200 qualifications covering a broad variety of sectors. The fenestration industry, just like any other, needs training solutions tailored to its specific needs. The organisation’s services are helping to facilitate this, and are contributing to raising standards and assisting in shaping careers.
More information on GQA is available at www.gqaqualifications.com.
