Archives for August 2022

The GGF are delighted to announce that we have partnered with BSI to bring you a brand new and exclusive member benefit, BSI Identify. 

What is BSI Identify?

BSI Identify is a digital identification service that improves industry safety by ensuring the traceability of your products and the accuracy of your product information. It also means you can demonstrate a commitment to your customers and to a safer supply chain.

Why Join BSI Identify?

• Demonstrate your pledge to product safety.
• Enhance your reputation as a responsible manufacturer with integrity.
• Reassure customers by providing long lasting access to accurate product information.
• Mitigate the risk of product substitution.

How Does It Work?

• BSI Identify will issue you with a unique and traceable identifier called a BSI UPIN for each of your construction products at unit level.
• You can then mark or tag your products with the UPIN, which acts as a smart link to signpost users to a page where they can find the most up to date information.
• Supply chain operators scan the UPIN and are directed to an open access page, controlled by you, ensuring there’s one, accurate, up to date source of information. 

GGF Members receive a 25% discount when signing up to the scheme, this is an exclusive offer within the industry and prices start from just £375 for 12 months.

To sign up to the scheme simply Click Here and complete the short form. From there, a member of the BSI team will be in touch to answer any questions you may have and to get you started.

You can view the other benefits available to GGF Members in the Members Area.

The Skilled Pathways Scheme has been put into action to help tackle the skills shortage the industry is facing. The scheme’s aim is to educate and provide hands-on experience to confirm each trainee is trained and qualified to an appropriate level of competence, so a successful and compliant future in the industry is guaranteed.

In partnership with Total Support Training and the industry awarding body, GQA Qualifications, the GGF Skilled Pathways Scheme objective is to create trajectory and fund training for trainees of up to £4000 per GGF Member Company as part of the pilot scheme.

What Is Included in the Scheme?

• The scheme aims to attract new peoples in the industry, particularly those leaving school and college.
• There is no minimum grade requirement in Maths and English for candidates to apply.
• The training provided as part of the Skilled Pathways Scheme is a mixture of physical and remote learning taking place on the company’s premises.
• The online training function will assist people at any stage in their career path and not just those new to the industry.
• The GGF will fund half of all training costs, up to £4,000, for all GGF Members in this first cohort of trainees.

The GGF have an unwavering commitment to attracting the next generation of highly skilled workers into the industry and the Skilled Pathways Scheme is one that we intend to become the standard bearer for the industry and a highly rewarding benefit for all GGF Members.

The GGF are Ensuring a Successful and Compliant Future of the Fenestration Industry

As we all are aware, the Government’s strategies and targets for Net Zero between now and 2050, will require an estimated 500,000 additional skilled workers for the Construction Sector. The figure includes the Glass, Glazing and Fenestration Industry, which means there’s a big necessity for more skilled workers.

The GGF are 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 help our Members recruit, educate and invite the new generation of traders to the industry to help improve the skills shortage affecting the industry.

The First Set of Skilled Pathways Scheme Cohorts

The first cohort of trainees that joined the GGF Skilled Pathways Scheme have recently completed a 5 day induction course at the office of our partners Total Support Training.

The second cohort of trainees started their induction in August of this year, with the next cohort starting on the scheme in March 2023, training in the Window Fitter speciality.

The Scheme currently covers Glazing, Glass Processing, Fenestration, Fire Resistant Glazing, Window Film Application and Technical Administration, however The GGF are planning to add more specialisms over time.

“We are immensely proud to have brought this scheme, which is unlike any other available in the industry, to reality,” commented GGF Group managing director John Agnew. “We are funding training up to £4000 per GGF Member Company and the completion of this first stage will encourage other companies to commit, after so many have shown interest.”

To apply for the scheme, Members are invited to either contact your GGF Regional Manager, email membership@ggf.org.uk or complete the GGF Skilled Pathways Scheme Enquiry Form and a member of the team will contact you with more information.