Glass & Glazing National Advisory Group meeting

The main function of the National Advisory Groups (NAG) is to provide advice to BCITO to assist in achieving its objectives. NAG members should be actively involved or have a high level of interest in industry training, be available to provide expertise, current knowledge, and skills for the betterment of the industry and be committed to working positively with BCITO to improve and enhance all aspects of industry training. Currently, we have nine Glass & Glazing NAG members. We have employers with active trainees, representatives from the supply chain, just to name a few.

Some of the key discussion points to come out of the meeting were:

• The Apprenticeship Boost has been extended to the end of 2023. This will continue to support employers to take on apprentices.
• The Glass & Glazing NAG welcomes two new members – Belinda Gault from Metro Glass and Eleanor Jackson from Viridian Glass.
• The NAG was interested in understanding the reasons why apprentices withdraw from their apprenticeship to try and establish what can be done to reduce withdrawal rates and retain apprentices in the industry.
• Getting more women, Māori and Pasifika people into the industry remains a priority and the group discussed the opportunities and barriers in getting more diverse people into the industry.
• myBCITO has played an important role in supporting apprentice progress during Covid-19 when BCITO Training Advisors have been unable to visit apprentices face-to-face. BCITO is now working to provide a more engaging experience for employers within myBCITO to better support their apprentices and their progress.

The NAG will meet again later this year, hopefully in person for the first time in two years.

On behalf of BCITO, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Glass & Glazing NAG members – Steve Wynn, Stu Smith, Tony Kinnaird, Daniel Roberts, Gary Walden, Andrew McCathie, Belinda Gault and Eleanor Jackson for taking the time out of their busy day to attend this meeting. As always, their input and commitment to this industry is invaluable.