Feb/March 2020

Skills & Recruitment
Contined from page 58...
BOS launched the EverybodyFITs campaign to promote
the benefits of employing a diverse workforce.
Making manufacturing more accessible in terms
of disability, race, gender or age is not impossible
and in many circumstances, costs nothing to
assess and put processes in place. Moving away
from ‘the norm’ and having an appreciation of
other staffing options automatically gains you a
larger amount of potential job candidates.
Tell us about the BOS Academy and how
fabricators can use it
The BOS Academy is in Sheffield, next to Meadow
Hall shopping centre. The building has been
chosen for its accessibility and will be used for
three different areas: business, practical training
and ‘inspiring talent’.
Opened in November last year by Lord David
Blunkett, the practical training area is built with
apertures to fit windows and doors and there is
also a conference and teaching area.
Both these areas are great for fabricators to use,
either benefiting from our annual prospectus of
free masterclasses or utilising the training courses
being run by BOS or other training partners.
Partners sponsoring BOS also have limited free
use of the centre as part of their package, making
it a great facility to train and launch new products
to customers and staff.
Is local government funding available for
fenestration courses?
BOS is engaging with government agencies which
have access to funding, and in certain areas
we have secured qualifications and courses in
fenestration available to fabricators.
We are currently working with West Yorkshire
College Consortium, Sheffield City Region Skills
Bank and Nottingham/Derby Local Enterprise
Partnership.
What would your message be to
fabricators who feel that training, skills
and encouraging new talent is not a
priority for them?
Evidence and feedback from many of the large
organisations we work with shows how investing
in training and development is a key contributor
to the longevity of a business.
Fabricating is already a profession,
qualifications exist for individuals choosing it
as a career. These qualifications developed and
awarded by GQA Qualifications not only enhance
the individual’s knowledge and learning, but offer
the company a better-skilled workforce.
BOS has just been registered as a limited
company by guarantee. What does this mean?
With the exception of employee and day-to-day
running costs, BOS will reinvest year on year
profits gained from funding, sponsorships, and
the BOS Academy towards growing and promoting
fenestration. The staus will also allow BOS to
apply for funding and grants to help with skills,
training and development.
What’s next for BOS?
The ethos surrounding BOS is longevity. We
acknowledge there is not going to be an instant
shift of new people suddenly coming into the
industry, but hopefully the work we are doing now
with employers will help towards making that
change, in particular in their own communities.
We will be putting a large amount of energy into
encouraging people to register for our Inspiring
the Future campaign: www.inspiringthefuture.org/
fenestration/. This is crucial to raise awarness of
our industry in the future – anyone from an MD
to an apprentice can sign-up and talk to schools
and colleges.
We will also be continuing to work with agencies
who can support funding and grant opportunities
to help businesses secure skills and training,
and help us increase awareness of fenestration.
We are improving our communication methods
through our website, social media platforms and
other online services to ensure we share as much
information with the industry as possible and
plan to set up a number of advisory groups to
support the network.
How can fabricators get involved with
Building Our Skills?
Follow us on our social media platforms –
Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. Like and share
with other colleagues, customers and suppliers.
The more people aware of the campaign gives
us a greater chance of raising awareness of
Fenestration.
Contact us direct – the BOS team can offer
more information on our various campaigns and
you can decide how much your businesses and
employees get involved.
“Moving away from ‘the
norm’ automatically
gains you a larger
amount of potential job
candidates”
Contact Building Our Skills
07789 344 479
www.buildingourskills.co.uk
@BOSFenestration
60 TF FEB/MAR 2020 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN