GQA Achieves Armed Forces Recognition
GQA Qualifications has long recognised that re-introducing service personnel into mainstream commerce has an important role to play in helping to bridge the skills gap for the fenestration industry. The sector’s leading awarding and qualifications-writing body is therefore pleased to announce that it has now received the bronze award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), having also signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
Dan Brown, Strategic Relationships Manager of GQA explains what this means both for service personnel and for employers:
“This award recognises GQA’s commitment to defence personnel. Our signing of the Armed Forces Covenant further demonstrates our intention to support the Armed Forces community. This includes both serving and ex-military staff. For those who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces, we can offer a stepping-stone into employment or help to further careers through our accredited courses or qualifications. For employers needing to fill job vacancies we would urge them to consider the Armed Forces community as an excellent source of potential recruits.
“We are actively collaborating with organisations who encourage and facilitate recruitment of military and ex-military personnel. One such is FrontFoot, a specialist charity who help place the armed forces community into new roles whilst supporting them with transition advice and support. Engaging with FrontFoot to bring military service personnel into the sectors which GQA support through accredited training and qualifications is the latest in a growing list of key strategic partnerships we are forming to help alleviate the skills gap.”
Tim O’Keefe, the Founder of FrontFoot says:
“Everyone recognises the value that service personnel bring to the world of employment. We have very high hopes that this relationship with GQA will help those looking to add to their workforce right now. For us, working hand in glove with service personnel, it is an ideal opportunity to introduce them to a great industry, where we know there are long-term and ongoing opportunities for career development.
“We are keen to work with the fenestration industry and to bring new blood to it. We know that service personnel bring great attributes to the workplace, and we are really looking forward to making an impact which will benefit all parties. A part of our commitment is to ensure that all the personnel we recruit undergo practical training to give them the best start in their new careers, and to give those employers who engage them the best value for their investment.”
If you would like to know more about the collaboration between GQA and Frontfoot, and have questions on how you can get involved and support the military community, you can email Dan at dan.brown@gqaqualifications.com.
