Addressing the skills shortage two lanterns at a time

Ultraframe, has partnered with Total Support Training to tackle the skills shortage that is threatening the industry.

The conservatory specialist supplied two Ultrasky lanterns to Total Support Training, which were demonstrated and launched at its recent open evening event.

Total Support Training provides opportunities to bring young people, the long-term unemployed, and ex-offenders into the glass and glazing and construction industries, offering them the chance to gain an NVQ and a route back into the workplace.

Those wanting to enter the glass and glazing industry can work with Total Support Training on a range of courses including a Construction Skills Certification Scheme employability programme, short courses covering construction and business, apprenticeships, and paid qualifications.

The Ultrasky lanterns will be used as part of Total Support’s training programmes, with the Milton Keynes branch being one of the first centres in the country that is able to offer this type of practical training.

Around 30 people attended the open evening, which was a joint celebration of the opening of Total Support Training’s new Milton Keynes centre and its 10-year trading anniversary.

Alex Hewitt, marketing director at Ultraframe, said: “Total Support Training is doing a fantastic job of addressing the highly-publicised skills shortage in our industry, and we were keen to support them on this as it’s an important issue which affects us all.

“While their training is widely available, it’s great that they are also focusing on those who may usually find it difficult to enter the academic world and ultimately, the workplace. We were thrilled to be invited to support their open evening event with products and staff – enabling us to meet the latest recruits to their training school and demonstrate our Ultrasky lantern.”

Total Support Training’s managing director Sharon Alderton said: “The aims of the centres are to allow more people to get into this industry with a higher quality of practical job training. We found that there are many installers that fit lanterns, but there isn’t currently any practical training for this qualification. We will be using the Ultrasky lanterns in both the GQA fenestration installation L3 qualification, and also to show new apprentices how to install.”