GQA welcome South Lanarkshire College to the line up for this years Conference

GQA are delighted to announce that South Lanarkshire College will join the line-up at the Approved Centre Conference in Milton Keynes on the 26^th of November 2015 to share their approach to delivering Apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeship Delivery – South Lanarkshire College Style”

South Lanarkshire College’s Faculty of Construction is one of the largest training providers in Scotland and is considered a flagship centre of excellence. Since gaining approval as a GQA Centre in 2010, the College has consistently delivered an excellent 2 year Apprenticeship in Glazing.

The workshop will be delivered by George Pendlebury who will explain their approach to Apprenticeships, a blend of on the job and off the job learning. The College’s practical glass workshop is unique among Colleges in the UK and George will explain how their links with employers, manufacturers and suppliers have helped in creating a superb practical training environment, making this workshop a great opportunity to share best practice.

George Pendlebury has been delivering the Level 2 Glazing SVQ to Apprentices for South Lanarkshire College for the last 5 years. He has worked in the Construction Industry for 39 years, mainly as a Joiner / Glazier with small companies and also some of the best known larger companies fitting Conservatories, and Double Glazed windows and doors. George also spent some time self-employed, and has worked on shop fronts for Industrial units and carried out Curtain Walling.

As well as delivering training in the purpose built workshop at the College and on site assessment and training , the Students and George have been involved in the Maintenance of the College building, glazing windows and doors as required and carrying out glass related  work for various Departments within the College, including cutting glass and mirrors for Leisure classes.

To show an example of ongoing CPD George has recently gained new experience through attending Stained Glass and Glass Fusing Classes.

If you haven’t yet booked your place, What are you waiting for?  Book your place by contacting Emma Barnsley on Tel: 0114 2720033 or simply email emma@gqaqualifications.com  Don’t be left wondering what you missed out on this November!

GQA Conference 2015 - 4th Workshop Confirmed

GQA are delighted to welcome Neil Hartis MBE of CITB to the Workshop delivery line-up for our Approved Centre Conference to be held at the impressive Schueco Network Centre on the 26th of November 2015.

“Trailblazers-the route from conception to completion and delivery”

Neil Joined CITB after 30 years’ service in the Royal Air Force Regiment in 2000, and worked for the construction Awarding Body as the Responsible Officer for competence assurance and introduced awareness seminars for all assessors and verifiers. The forming of the Sector Skills Council (SSC) brought a change of role, with Neil now responsible for the apprenticeship frameworks for Construction across the UK including the management of completion certificates using Apprenticeship Certification England (ACE), Apprenticeship Certification Wales (ACW) and MA Online 2 (Scotland). Going forward Neil is taking on the challenge of Trailblazer for Apprenticeships.

This workshop will present the Government’s Trailblazer initiative for Apprenticeships, with Neil being involved in the Trailblazer scheme from it’s very early days he will give an explanation of the process that has to be followed to turn the idea into reality. This includes information on the important part that Employers have to play, and update on what Trailblazers are approved and in development, the delivery methods and an indication of the funding mechanisms”

If you haven’t yet booked your place, What are you waiting for?  Book your place by contacting Emma Barnsley on Tel: 0114 2720033 or simply email emma@gqaqualifications.com  Don’t be left wondering what you missed out on this November!

GQA Welcome back a Familiar Face to this years Conference

GQA are delighted to welcome back Kevin Smyth to the line-up for our 4th Approved Centre Conference to be held at the Schueco Network Centre, Milton Keynes on the 26th of November 2015.

Assessment: Keep it simple, make it effective

Kevin will deliver a workshop delving into the world of assessment: offering thoughts and stimulating discussion on how to be an effective assessor using an effective assessment cycle. 

Kevin has worked in the construction manufacturing sector for over 30 years and been involved in steel fabrication, facades and aluminium systems both as an employee and employer.  Qualified from the Chartered Institute of Building and Queens University Belfast, he is a member of the Institute of Directors and Institute of Occupational Health and Safety and, in addition to running his own business, is a GQA Assessor and Internal Verifier and part time lecturer at Belfast Metropolitan College.

If you haven’t yet booked your place, What are you waiting for?  Book your place by contacting Emma Barnsley on Tel: 0114 2720033 or simply email emma@gqaqualifications.com  Don’t be left wondering what you missed out on this November!

Workshops added to the line-up at this year’s GQA Conference

GQA are delighted to confirm further workshops that will be available to delegates at the GQA Conference, to be held at Schueco’s impressive Network Centre in Milton Keynes on 26^th November.

I’ve already got my NVQ, What’s Next?

A GQA qualification is for life, but legislation and customer demands have seen the need for proof of current competence. GQA introduced its first qualification specifically developed as a means of meeting these requirements without going through the “traditional” portfolio building assessment process, in 2011, the GQA Level 3 Award for Continued Competence in Automotive Glazing.  The workshop will give delegates an overview of the success a GQA Employer Centre has had with this as a robust, cost effective way of proving competence. The MTC scheme brings the need for updating proof of competence to the Fenestration Industry and the workshop will explain GQA Competency Update qualifications for Installers, Surveyors and those who carry out both roles. This is a great opportunity to hear about a solution for Industry and how to deliver it.

This workshop will be delivered by Denis Reed of National Windscreens and our very own Sean Hayes

Denis has been working in the automotive glazing industry for over twenty years with Mobile Windscreens Ltd (part of National Windscreens) where he is currently the Compliance Manager. He heads up a small audit team looking after stock control, health & safety and product development as well as induction, training and assessments.  He first became involved with Automotive Glazing NVQs back in 1996 and has been active in this field ever since. Many of you may recognise Denis from previous GQA Conferences, he was the recipient of the GQA Best Practice in Internal Verification award in 2011.

Sean Hayes, Technical Manager for GQA has worked in the Glass Industry since leaving school and joined GQA in 2009. Many of you will know Sean as the EQA for your Centre; others may know him from his work in qualification development, CPD events, previous GQA Conferences or the MTC scheme.  Automotive Glazing has played a big part in Sean’s career so he was particularly pleased to come up with the concept of the competency update qualification for that industry, and building on from this, Sean has been instrumental in the development of the suite of Competency update qualifications.

If you haven’t yet booked your place, What are you waiting for?  Book your place by contacting Emma Barnsley on Tel: 0114 2720033 or simply email emma@gqaqualifications.com  Don’t be left wondering what you missed out on this November!

GQA Conference 2015 – 1st Workshop Confirmed

The GQA Conference, held at Schueco’s impressive Network Centre in Milton Keynes on the 26th November 2015, will give attendees the opportunity to attend workshops, discussing topics relevant to our qualifications.  GQA are delighted to confirm the first of 6 workshops available to approved centres:

Asbestos Update

The Government and the HSE have issued regulations to protect workers from the threat posed by asbestos. These regulations include a statutory requirement to provide awareness training for all at risk employees. In this workshop Steve Shutler will explain the content of the required training and other important legal provisions, providing details of recent prosecutions of companies who failed to provide asbestos awareness training or inadvertently disturbing asbestos without taking the necessary precautions.

Steve Shutler is a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner and a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner. He has worked in asbestos consultancy for the past 30 years during which time he has served as a governing councillor for the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) and is an examiner for The Certificate of Competence in Asbestos awarded by The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).

If you haven’t yet booked your place, What are you waiting for?  Book your place by contacting Emma Barnsley on Tel: 0114 2720033 or simply email emma@gqaqualifications.com  Don’t be left wondering what you missed out on this November!

Further partners announced at the GQA Approved Centre Conference

Have you booked your place yet? 26th November 2015 at The Schueco Network Centre, Milton Keynes

GQA are delighted to announce two further partners at this years Approved Centre Conference.  The Independent Ratings Company and My Trade TV have been added to the agenda.  They will be available throughout the day, including the workshop sessions, giving Approved Centres opportunities to discuss their business and potential working relationships.

The Independent Ratings Company

The Independent Ratings Company (www.theindependentratingscompany.co.uk) collects customer feedback and comments from across all sectors of industry.  It is working alongside GQA to find out how those who undertake learning through their Approved Centres feel about the process and the importance of GQA qualifications and MTC’s to them in their day to day jobs. 

Gathering and understanding customer feedback is a key driver for improving business performance and supporting customer retention.

The Independent Ratings Company will be showcasing their findings from the work they have done with GQA and will be inviting centres to explore how obtaining feedback for their individual operations can help to drive further improvements and success.

My Trade TV

My Trade TV (www.mytrade.tv) are the official video contractors for the 2015 GQA Conference.  In addition to filming the event they will be interviewing delegates throughout the day to ask about their relationship with GQA as well as getting their views on the conference itself.

My Trade TV produces video from first concept to completion and this includes the showcasing of  products, training and educational material.

Don’t be left wondering what you missed out on this November ‘Book Your Place Now’ by contacting Emma at GQA Qualifications – emma@gqaqualifications.com or 01142 720033

Have you booked your place yet? 26th November 2015 at The Schueco Network Centre, Milton Keynes

The date of the GQA Approved Centre Conference is fast approaching and GQA will be releasing information on both Conference Partners and Workshop speakers over the next couple of weeks.

GQA are delighted to announce that Chase Taylor Installer Resourcing and Multi Point Locksmiths will be attending the Conference in a partner capacity and will be available throughout the day, including the workshop sessions, to discuss their business and potential opportunities for working together with our Approved Centres.

Chase Taylor Installer Resourcing

Chase Taylor Installer Resourcing (http://www.chasetaylor.co.uk/) is a partner to GQA offering potential employment opportunity for surveyors and installers with GQA qualifications and MTC’s.

Working alongside key industry names CTIR specialises in placing installers into contracts or full employment with clients looking for resources across a number of sectors – with a particular emphasis on the Fenestration and Construction industries.

Their partnership with GQA extends to all of its Approved Centres and they will be attending the conference to discuss what they can offer and to give centres the opportunity to sign up to be part of the process.

MPL Locksmith Training

MPL has recently entered into partnership to provide GQA Accredited training for locksmiths who want to add formal recognition to their skills development.

Operating from a bespoke training school (http://www.mpl-locksmith-training.co.uk/) which caters for a national intake, MPL train would-be and time-served locksmiths in the latest techniques for gaining entry into every type of locking device.  

In partnership with GQA they are now offering formal training to those who want industry recognised learning in addition to core skills to their trade.

MPL will be available to the conference to discuss their offering with any Approved Centre wanting more information.

Contact details are available for both the above companies if you wish to contact for more information prior to the conference.

Don’t be left wondering what you missed out on this November ‘Book Your Place Now’ by contacting Emma at GQA Qualifications – emma@gqaqualifications.com.

The GQA Awards

The GQA Approved Centre awards closed the GQA conference, recognising good practice and exceptional commitment and contribution to GQA Qualification delivery.  As in previous years, nominations were open to GQA Office staff and External Quality Advisors, with nomination in the areas of Best Practice in Assessment, Best Practice in Internal Quality Assurance and the overall GQA Approved Centre award.  The important part of the nominations was the rationale behind the nominations as this enabled GQA to identify the award winners.

 

The award recipients were as follows:

 

Best Practice in Assessment – Brian Moultrie of RT Resources

Key Comment: Brian puts candidates at ease and lets them talk.  He uses meaningful photographic evidence.  His observation reports bring the assessment to life.  He is keen to try out new approaches to assessment.  A real professional and an example to all.

 

 

 

Best Practice in Internal Quality Assurance – Joanne Taylor of IPS International

Key Comment: Joanne challenges the team, policies, procedures and self, looking for continuous improvement to ensure that candidates get the best possible experience.  She embraces new ideas and methodologies.  She listens to feedback but is not afraid to challenge.  She is the key driver of improving services to candidates and goes beyond the framework.

 

Approved Centre Award – Total Support Training

Key Comment: This centre has a great working relationship with both GQA Office staff and EV/EQA.  They are responsive, helpful and constructive.  This centre is continuously seeking to improve and increase their influence.  There is a real dedication throughout the team to deliver quality.

Fit Show Recognition Awards

The GQA centre awards included a number of special recognition awards.  These awards were presented to the 6 FiT Show/Master fitter Lead Assessors and Assessors Sean Hayes (GQA), Andy Carrington (GQA), Lee Harland (IPS), Simon Smith (PM Training), Steve Hill (The Vocational College) and Gary Robertson (West Suffolk College) in recognition of their contribution to FiT Show Master Fitter 2013.

The FiT Show 2013 created massive interest within the industry and provided the perfect opportunity for the industry to network all under one roof and the masterfitter competition was an opportunity for installers to prove how good they were.  The competition itself took 6 months of preparation from the GQA assessment team.  They put together everything from the initial applications, telephone interviews and observations, to the guidance, rules and scoring system for the event.  They also ran the 2 day live final.  

 

The event was a great success due to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved so much so that GQA will be managing the Masterfitter Challenge at the FiT show 2014; In addition to the Masterfitter competition we will also be exhibiting at the show on stand 255.

The GQA Conference 2013

The GQA Conference has once again proven to be a great success.  After months of preparation the conference took place on the 21^st November at the Schueco Network Centre in Milton Keynes.

This year GQA took the decision to change the format of the conference by adding an extra workshop session; this was well received by delegates, with them taking full advantage to discuss topics including:

·        Understanding the Building regulations

·        Making Health and Safety work

·        Competent person scheme and MTCs

·        Assessment; Keeping it simple

We also ran a general workshop which gave delegates the opportunity to talk to GQA and other various organisations which included Fensa, Mytrade TV, Quals Direct and FiT Events.

Delegates listened in interest to keynote speaker James Ayling of the National Apprenticeship Service gave an update on the future changes to apprenticeships.

All in all the conference went well and feedback on the event has been excellent and has shown that the GQA network of centres appreciate the opportunity to listen to key note speakers, attend workshops and to network, sharing practice and potentially creating new working partnerships.

GQA would like to thank our sponsors FENSA, Assure Windows & Doors and Schueco for their support and sponsorship of the event and special thanks to speaker James Ayling and presenters Kevin Smyth, Austin Green, Jon Bray and Andy Carrington for delivering informative workshops.

GQA Conference 2013 - Change of Date

Due to unavoidable circumstances, the GQA Conference scheduled for the 25th July 2013 is to be

rescheduled for the 21st November 2013. The event will still be held at Schueco’s Network Centre in Milton Keyens and we anticipate that the original line-up of speakers and workshops will still make up the programme.

We do appreciate that this change could cause issues with diaries and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 

In respect of this late change, and for a limited period, those confirming places for the new date of the 21st November 2013 will receive a reduced conference delegate rate of £50.

 

Once again we apologise for this and look forward to discussing your conference booking shortly.

Workshop added to GQA Conference - Kevin Smyth (Project Management Training, NI)

Kevin Smyth, Principal of Project Management Training (a training partner with R T Resources and industry clients) has been added to the line-up at the event to be held in Milton Keynes on the 25th July, and will host a workshop on Assessment: Purpose, Value, Responsibility of the assessor, assessment styles.

With just one more speaker to be confirmed, the Conference schedule is almost complete with Kevin joining fellow workshop speakers, Austin Greene of Network VEKA (MTCs), Andy Carrington of Derby College (Assessing the Building Regulations for Fenestration unit) and Declan Moore of the GGF (Health and Safety across the GQA Sectors) and Conference Keynote Speaker, Mr James Ayling (NAS). We will also host a drop-in surgery type workshop session as a final option for delegates where those attending will have open access to a number of experts for advice and guidance on issues such as quality assurance, e-portfolio and GQA On-line.

The conference will again close with the GQA EV and Staff nominated Approved Centre Awards, recognising good practice in Assessment, Internal Verification and overall Approved Centre practice.

Cost of the Conference is £95 per delegate. Don’t miss out – Be Better Informed and book your place now by contacting the GQA Office on 0114 2720033 or marketing@GQAqualifications.com.

Be Better Informed - GQA Approved Centre Conference 21st November 2013 – New MTC Workshop Added – Austin Greene (Network VEKA / Assure)

GQA are delighted to announce that Austin Greene, Technical and Compliance Manager for Network VEKA will be leading a workshop on the topic of Minimum Technical Competencies for Fenestration at the GQA Approved Centre Conference taking place on the 21st November 2013 at Schueco’s Network Centre in Milton Keynes.

With the changes to Competent Person Schemes and the implementation of PAS 2030, MTCs are set to have a major impact on the Fenestration Industry and Austin will give an insight into the changes and how Network VEKA have reacted to put in place a solution for members of their competent Person Scheme, Assure Windows and Doors.

With just a couple more announcements to make on speakers, the Conference schedule is almost complete with Austin joining fellow workshop speakers, Andy Carrington of Derby College (Assessing the Building Regulations for Fenestration unit) and Declan Moore of the GGF (Health and Safety across the GQA Sectors) and Conference Keynote Speaker, Mr James Ayling (NAS). Workshops on ‘Effective Assessment’ and ‘Delivering GQA Leadership Qualifications’ are being developed and will also be confirmed shortly. We are also exploring the idea of a drop-in surgery type workshop session as a final option for delegates where those attending will have open access to a number of experts for advice and guidance.

The conference will again close with the GQA EV and Staff nominated Approved Centre Awards, recognising good practice in Assessment, Internal Verification and overall Approved Centre practice.

Cost of the Conference is £95 per delegate. Don’t miss out – Be Better Informed and book your place now by contacting the GQA Office on 0114 2720033 or marketing@GQAqualifications.com.

GQA Centres - Free Workshop - Green Deal

Have you heard about The Green Deal but don’t really understand what it is and the potential benefits to Assessment Centres and Industry?

GQA are holding a seminar to give you the facts and help you understand how your business can benefit from The Green Deal. This interactive event is being run by Neil Whitfield who has over 38 years experience in the Construction Industry and has been working with GQA Qualifications for many years.

The event will focus on:

What is Green Deal?
What are the financial aspects of Green Deal?
How is Green Deal likely to work in practice?

The event will take place at GQA's Sheffield office on January 29th and is available to you FREE OF CHARGE as a GQA Approved Centre and, as we expect demand to be high, early booking is recommended.

You can reserve up to 3 spaces for your Centre by e-mail to emma@gqaqualifications.com or by calling 01142 720033

GQA Approved Centre Conference 2013 – Register Your Interest

GQA Qualifications are pleased to announce that the 3^rd GQA Approved Centre Conference will be held on the 25^th July 2013, with Schueco UK once again hosting the event in their Milton Keynes Network Centre.

  

Following the success of our first 2 Conferences, we will be looking to provide a range of activities and discussions that should prove both informative and enjoyable. We will also continue with the GQA Approved Centre Awards, with nominations made by your EVs, recognising good practice in Assessment, Internal Verification and overall Approved Centre practice.

 

 

More information will be available as we confirm speakers and activities, but in the meantime, please register your interest in attending by contacting the GQA Office on 0114 2720033 or email on marketing@gqaqualifications.com.

GQA Awards 2011 - the Winners

GQA took the opportunity to again recognise good practice by GQA Approved Centres at the GQA Approved Centre Awards, held as part of the recent GQA Conference.

There were 3 Awards presented, with nominations coming from GQA External Verifiers and Staff. This was again a difficult decision to come to, with all nominations being backed by strong rationale.

Mike Morris, GQA Chairman, presented the awards, with Andy Carrington of Derby College picking up the Assessor Award, Denis Reed of Mobile Windscreens the IV Award whilst Paul Gray accepted the Centre Award on behalf of The Vocational College

GQA also presented certificates to mark milestones with the 1st GQA QCF Achiever working through Auto Windscreens and the 1000th GQA QCF Achiever working with IVS Ltd. Chris Bonsall of Auto Windscreens and Ty Priestman of IVS Ltd are pictured below with their certificates.

GQA Conference 2011

After months of preparation, the GQA Conference 2011 took place last week at the Schueco Network Centre in Milton Keynes.

Keynote Speakers, Martyn Roads and Tom Bowtell, discussed e-assessment and the Glass Academy respectively with delegates and initial feedback has been excellent on the content of the 2 speakers.

The workshops were also well received, with sessions running into the break times as delegates took a full part in the discussions on topics including:

• PV Installation
• Best Practice in Assessment
• GQAOnline
• E-portfolios - A centre's view
• Green Deal and Quals in the Glass Industry

The removal of a speaker and addition of an extra coffee break from last years schedule to increase the opportunity for networking was also more favourable as this gave delegates the chance to talk to GQA staff, EV's, fellow centres and speakers.

All in all the Conference went well, it was great to see so many people representing our Approved Centres in one place and GQA staff received great feedback from delegates.

Many, many thanks to our sponsors - Schueco, GGF and Proskills, speakers - Martyn Roads and Tom Bowtell, and presenters - Grenville Bramley, Paul Gray & Steve Hill, Martin Sadler, Giles Willson and Paul Nolan, and we look forward to seeing you again next time.

GQA Staff at the Conference (2011)

L-R - Allan Murray, William Noad, Sean Hayes, Jodie Bradley, Mick Clayton, Amanda Fearnehough, Martin Sadler, Caroline Kershaw, Phil Douglas, Harry Charnock, Tom Steele, Jon Bray

GQA Conference 2011 - In pictures again!