Long awaited new MTCs approved for fenestration industry
4th September 2012

New Minimum Technical Competencies have been approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and are ready to be rolled out within the industry. The MTCs have been developed in line with the National Occupational Standards of Proskills and the QCF qualifications developed by GQA Qualifications.

GQA are a long standing awarding organisation who have specialised in glass qualifications for over 20 years. Since the latter part of 2011, GQA has worked alongside the CPS Operators in the fenestration installation industry to develop and agree the new minimum criteria that installers and surveyors must meet as members of the Competent Person Schemes (CPS). Chris Mayne, FENSA General Manager commented, “The long-awaited MTCs are here! FENSA welcomes their introduction and believes they will further enhance the quality and expertise of window and door surveyors and installers.”

CPS Operators will now begin to communicate the new MTCs to their members and explain how the new criteria will affect them. There are a number of routes available and CPS Operators will be communicating their preferred options. Network VEKA run their CPS 'Network Assure’, and their Technical and Compliance Manager, Austin Greene, said, "Network Assure has always strived to ensure our installers are qualified to the highest standard. That is why we will be working alongside GQA to help our members achieve the prestigious GQA qualifications as part of the upcoming MTC" Mick Clayton, CEO of GQA said; “ The achievement of a GQA qualification within an acceptable timescale will give installers and surveyors the evidence they need to meet the minimum requirements. GQA achievers will also have access to the valuable work related card schemes such as GQA’s Q-card and CSCS.” GQA's Q-card allows the holder to:

Prove their identity and competence
Display their achievements through the unique QR-code
Grant them access to work sites

The new MTCs require reassessments to ensure continuing compliance within the industry. Mick goes on to say; “Once GQA qualified, you have the option of proving your continued competence by undergoing a short assessment programme designed around both the QCF NVQ and the MTC requirements. Successful assessment provides access to a GQA Continued Competence qualification and a renewed GQA Q-Card.”

Whilst current qualification funding is constantly changing, many Training Providers who offer GQA qualifications have access to funding to help cover the cost of the qualification. www.gqaqualifications.com
mick@gqaqualifications.com