HAPPY PEOPLE LEARNING CENTRE IS EXEMPLARY SAYS GQA
GQA Qualifications’ network of some 200 approved training centres is the mainstay of the multi-sector awarding organisation. There are many centres in the network doing fine work helping learners to gain formally certified qualifications and HPL is an outstanding example of how a centre has evolved and developed not only to meet the stringent requirements of GQA, but to meet the particular needs of the fenestration industry.
Happy People Learning Centre (HPL) has just marked its fifth year of partnership with GQA, and operates nationwide in the UK. Throughout that time, HPL has adapted itself not only to the rigours of GQA’s very specific demands, but has demonstrated excellent flexibility by broadening its training offering and addressing new ways of working necessitated by the pandemic.
Commenting on HPL, Sean Hayes, GQA’s Operations Manager says:
“Gaining qualifications is genuinely helping to contribute to employees’ career progression, grow companies’ competitiveness and generally improve the reputation of the fenestration industry through improved working practices. Our network of approved centres is truly pivotal in helping to achieve this, and is vital to the successful running of GQA. That’s why we value what HPL has done so highly. HPL originally wished to offer our Level 1 Construction & Safety Award. I make no apology for saying we really put them through their paces in order to put in place the requisite processes, procedures and safeguards we require from our centres. HPL stepped up and did all that we required in this and many other areas. Now, they are branching out and offering other qualifications in the construction and fenestration industries, and have already started work with candidates in the installation side of the latter.
“In addition to all of this, I was so impressed with how HPL introduced remote training delivery to accommodate the challenges of the pandemic. Classroom-based learning is still part of the organisation’s offering, but how HPL tackled bringing learning online was very impressive. Congratulations to HPL for what it has achieved, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them for many years to come.”
Cristina Irimie said:
“We’re proud to be helping to address the fenestration and construction industries’ skills gap. GQA has challenged us to be the best we can be, developing our working practices in order to bring value to candidates and operate at the top of our game. We used the pandemic in a positive way to bring remote learning into our portfolio of services. We were the first to be able to offer a CSCS card through remote working. As we celebrate five years of being a GQA approved centre, I’d like to thank GQA for giving us the tools to become part of its network, for helping us to develop our offering to candidates, and for giving us invaluable support and guidance along the way.”
GQA’s ethos is that all of its qualifications should be wholly industry-relevant and should be delivered by organisations suitably structured and knowledgeable to do so. Its network of approved centres is guided, supported and audited by its industry-experienced EQAs (External Quality Advisors). GQA’s approved centre network covers the whole of the UK, and includes FE colleges, private training providers and employers.
