By Ben Wallace, head of membership and customer relationships, GGF.
The UK has been facing a skills shortage in certain industries and the glass and glazing industry is included in this.
Why? Some of the factors that may contributing to this shortage include:
- An aging workforce – as many experienced workers near retirement age, there is a need to replace them with skilled workers.
- Changes in technology and innovation – rapid advancements in technology and innovation are leading to the need for workers with specialised skills and training.
- Brexit – the UK’s exit from the European Union has led to restrictions on immigration, making it more difficult to attract workers from other countries to fill skill gaps.
- Competition for talent – the global competition for skilled workers has intensified, making it more challenging for UK businesses to attract and retain top talent.
- Decline in vocational education – a decline in vocational education in the UK has contributed to a shortage of workers with practical skills in certain industries and trades.
This skills shortage has led to challenges for UK businesses, including increased competition for talent and higher costs for recruitment and training. To address this issue, businesses will need to focus on investing in training and development for their existing workforce, partnering with schools and colleges to support vocational education, and offering competitive compensation and benefits to attract and retain top talent.
The Skilled Pathway scheme
The GGF is working in partnership with Total Support Training and GQA Qualifications, meaning the Skilled Pathways Scheme is unlike any other in our industry.
The GGF Skilled Pathways scheme has been set up to specifically to recruit and educate the new generation of workers to the industry.
The scheme currently covers glazing, glass processing, fenestration, fire resistant glazing, window film application and technical administration, however the GGF is planning to add more specialisms over time.
What can you do to attract apprentices? A lot of businesses would like to train an apprentice to become a competently trained member of staff but struggle to find the right candidate. Some things you can do to help:
- Offer a competitive salary, flexible work hours, and professional development opportunities.
- Create a positive work environment – make sure your business culture is inclusive and supportive of all apprentices, and that they feel valued and respected.
- Provide opportunities for growth and advancement within the company and support their professional development through training, mentorship, and other educational programs.
- Highlight your mission and values, and make sure they align with the interests and goals of your potential apprentices. This can help attract individuals who are passionate about our industry.
- Network and build partnerships with schools, colleges, and other organisations to find potential apprentices and build partnerships to support your recruitment efforts.
- Offer hands-on learning experiences, that allow apprentices to develop practical skills and gain real-world experience in the industry.
- Showcase your work. Within the industry we do some amazing and high-profile projects. We should celebrate this and showcase the talent already in the industry.
I have been within the GGF Group for over 10 years and the training and skills shortage has always been discussed as a high priority and many businesses are in the same boat.
With the GGF Skilled Pathway scheme we finally have the answer to solve the skills and competency problem.
It is our priority to assist you in getting apprentices on the scheme so that you end up with a competent worker who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform their job effectively and efficiently for your business.
For assistance or enquiries contact us at [email protected]
