The GAP Training Centre has been given Recognised Centre status by the Glass Qualifications Authority (GQA).

This means GAP can now offer, deliver and assess NVQ qualifications in a wide range of occupational roles including the Installation of domestic Facias, Soffits & Bargeboards ie domestic roofline systems.

GAP has also appointed Neil Whitfield as Training Development Manager to work alongside group training manager Karl Owen. Neil was previously head of onsite assessment and training (OSAT) at Wigan and Leigh College, and is himself a professionally qualified trainer and accredited qualification assessor. To ensure GAP can meet demand for the courses it offers, Karl is also working towards becoming an accredited assessor.

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GAP has worked successfully in partnership with St Helen's College to satisfy employer needs by providing NVQ related training via the Train to Gain programme. Both GAP and the College will be discussing the extension of the successful scheme with the Learning Skills Council (LSC) to enable more employers to benefit from the ‘Train to Gain’ programme.

Neil said: "Training has been forgotten by many in the industry, and we're fulfilling people’s requirements by offering formal training courses and NVQ on-site assessments. There is a lot of scope for the training centre and we have some exciting plans for the future. We're looking to expand the qualifications we offer and we hope to do this on a national basis."

Pictured: Mick Clayton, lead external verifier from the GQA (right) with Karl Owen (left) and Neil Whitfield (middle) from GAP.