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Welcome to Glass Training Ltd's information resource. If you work in the glass and related sector in the UK or indeed just have a question about the glass and glazing industry, we are on hand to help you.
Our fully interactive helpline service means we are on hand during normal office hours to answer queries and research possibilities for companies and people who may lack the time and resources. If you cannot see the information you require on this page or elsewhere on our site, please contact us and we would be pleased to help.
Consumers: Saving money and helping the environment:
Recognising Quality in the Glass Industry:
Other frequently asked questions:
Useful links
Glass Blowers
Background
Glass Blowers are responsible for al kinds of glass products, from highly accurate scientific pieces to decorative items such as vases. Glass blowers heat and shape of tubes of glass to create a finished product, but the role is very much reliant on teamwork. The “gaffer” will be the most skilled member of the team while his gatherers collect the hot molten glass and bring it to him to shape. Almost without exception, everyone starting to work with glass in this way will begin as a minor member of the team, learning the practical skills by watching and assisting the gaffer and senior team members. The most important part of the job is learning how to handle the glass correctly and to get used to the heat and tools involved in the process.
Jobs Available
Glass blowers are involved in several different areas, from making components for the electronics industry to making one-off products for TV and advertising. This diversity might mean that one day you are working on spirit level bubbles and giant mayonnaise jars the next!
Of course the main part of the job is the production of things like laboratory ware; from test tubes and condensers to highly complex pieces for specific experiments. Often accomplished glass blowers will be able to work from the engineering drawing to produce the finished article
While there are a number of specialist glass blowing firms there are also jobs in university departments and at some hospitals where specially made glass equipment is used in wards and laboratories.
Skills and Training
A Glass Blower by trade is required to be practically skilled and is likely to be someone who likes the idea of every day's work being different. Learning on the job with experienced glass blowers is a vital part of the training. It will take time but, eventually a blower will be able to turn an engineering drawing into exactly the required piece of scientific glassware or take a drawn design and turn it into a work of art.
As with a number of jobs in the glass industry, a basic knowledge and understanding of the science of glass production and its qualities as a material is beneficial.
Glass Training Ltd are able to offer an NVQ in Glass Processing at Level 2 and 3.
Relevant link:
NVQ Qualifications
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Glass Technologist
Background
A Glass Technologist possesses the skills that are needed in almost every area of the glass industry. The Glass Technologist will be devising new glasses, looking for cheaper raw materials or just helping to produce the best quality glass from the furnace. Often this involves solving many day-to-day problems of the glass making, such as identifying defects.
Jobs Available
Most Glass Technologists will be working as part of the team within a factory, helping to run the furnace and produce glass of the required quality. Often they mix day-to-day problem solving with longer-term projects to develop the glass made by the company.
Roles for Glass Technologists are also available with companies in niche markets, working to develop new and novel glasses for use in communications fibres, medical applications or even for nuclear waste disposal. The range of opportunities is very wide but the number of jobs available may be quite small.
The role is very varied and can form part of research and development, production or even technical sales. Some Glass Technologists may have qualifications specifically in glass technology, but it is more usual to find materials scientists, chemists and physicists who have specialised as they have developed their careers.
Skills and Training
This is the kind of job for someone who enjoys science and has a good problem-solving mind. Working with glass is very interesting and you will have a chance to get involved in all the practical aspects of producing glass.
This is one of the few jobs in this industry where a sound scientific background and an understanding of glass as a material is vital. It will probably be difficult to enter at a lower stage than A-Level but with the in-house training and learning on offer, progress is possible.
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Glass Engravers and Cutters
Background
There are many different methods of decorating glass, with glass cutting and engraving both well established methods of embellishing glass. The cuts and marks are made with diamond scribes or rotating metal wheels and glass can also be decorated using diamond drills or acid polishing and etching.
Jobs Available
The areas where crystal glass companies form part of the local industry are centred around the West Midlands, Scotland, Devon and Ireland however, there are smaller studios and art glass companies located countrywide. Glass decorators tend not to be regularly recruited by companies, but are recruited as studios grow or as workers retire.
Many decorators also work in smaller companies doing specialised sand blasting and etching on all types of glass and mirrors. They may have trained as glaziers or worked in the crystal industry or for artists who engrave on glass there are specific college courses studying design or fine art. Students on design courses may be expected to take part in work experience placements as part of their studies.
Skills and Training
This area of glass work will appeal to people who like working with their hands with a perfectionist streak, as precision and care are required. As with most jobs in the glass industry, the skills involved are those of a very practical nature and learning on the job with experienced decorators, cutters and engravers is a vital part of the training.
Most companies will encourage you to attend college and learn more about glass as well as directing you through to practical qualifications such as NVQs in Glass Processing. Glass Training Ltd are able to offer an NVQ in Glass Processing at Level 2 and 3.
Relevant link:
NVQ Qualifications
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Optical Glass Maker
Background
Optical glass is used in instruments such as binoculars, spectacles, lenses, prisms, telescopes and microscopes. Optical glass must be absolutely flawless, completely transparent and be able to be ground into shape. Of all types of glass, it has the widest range of compositions, each having slightly different ingredients and optical properties. It was as a result of the efforts of scientists such as Otto Schott, Ernst Abbe, Carl Zeiss and Michael Faraday as well as problems obtaining certain types of glass during the Second World War that the science of optics and optical glasses developed.
Jobs Available
The range of jobs in the industry can be very broad, ranging from actually working in a glass works where these types of glasses are made right through to grinding and polishing lenses for spectacles. Optical glass is melted to the very highest standards, so the raw materials and the furnaces are carefully controlled and checks on the quality of the glass are very important.
While there are very few specialist glass melters who manufacture optical glasses in the UK, there are a reasonable number of specialist firms who reshape and press lenses as well as companies who will polish glass and produce lenses and optics. As well as these companies, there are a significant number of high street opticians who may have positions available to start you off in the world of optical glass
Skills and Training
Careers here offer opportunities for practical people who are good with their hands right through to the scientific people who will enjoy designing and developing lenses for instruments. As we have seen in other areas working with computers and numbers are key skills for these roles.
Most companies will encourage you to attend college and learn more about the subject as well as directing you through to practical qualifications such as NVQs in Glass Processing.
Glass Training Ltd are able to offer an NVQ in Glass Processing at Level 2 and 3.
Relevant link:
NVQ Qualifications
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Stained Glass Production
Background
The use of coloured glass to make decorative windows has long been an important use of the material. The first recorded use of stained glass in Britain was in Sunderland, where French glassmakers were brought over to lend their skills in the 11th century. The windows are made by holding carefully shaped pieces of glass in H shaped lead cane, which is then soldered together to make a complete window. The glass can be coloured, hand painted or enamelled before it is used to make up the designs. Nowadays stained glass is used in a wide range of buildings, from domestic windows, through pubs and clubs to the roofs of shopping arcades, churches, mosques and palaces.
Jobs Available
There are several areas of interest for the manufacture and restoration of stained glass. Often companies will be working on new designs at the same time as they are restoring historical pieces of glass. Lead cane used for windows may last up to 150 years so restoration and replacement can be an important part of the glaziers business. Renovation is an important part of the work done by some stained glass companies, washing cleaning and reassembling the old windows and sometimes adding coatings to further protect the glass.
The best approach to get in to stained glass work would be to start looking for firms in the local area who may be able to help you pick up your chosen career. Short courses in artistic glass making may also give you a flavour of what kind of work you would be doing.
Skills and Training
Once again these are jobs for people who are good at working with their hands and who are interested in art and design. Unfortunately there are no longer formal apprenticeships in the bench making of stained glass windows, glass cutting, leading up and fitting meaning if you want to pursue this further, most studios and workshops will be training up their own staff to do the job.
Relevant link:
Pearsons - Stained Glass Department
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Glass Fibre in Loft Insulation
Insulating your loft effectively can save up to 20% of your annual fuel bill when using glass fibre to the recommended depth of 270 mm. As fuel bills continue to rise, save money and reduce your CO2 emissions.
Professionals can be brought in to install loft insulation for you, or you could do it yourself with materials readily available at most DIY stores. However, caution must be taken as glass fibres can easily become imbedded in the skin or inhaled and cause irritation on the lungs.
Take care to wear safety googles, gloves and a respirator, especially working in poorly ventilated conditions. It is also advisable to shower and wash your clothes following contact with glass fibre to minimise the risk of irritation.
Relevant link:
Energy Saving Trust
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Double Glazing
Another major source of heat loss in the home is via windows and doors. Effective double glazing can help save up to £100 a year by decreasing the amount of heat that escapes your home.
The British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) operates a rating system for the efficiency of glazed windows to enable consumers to make an informed choice about what is right for them.
The Glass and Glazing Federation have also produced a Green Glass Glazing Guide to give further information about green initiatives to those in the glazing industry.
Download:
 Project Good Green Glazing Guide (2.37 MB)
Relevant link:
British Fenestration Rating Council
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Recycling
Glass can be used over and over again without destroying the integrity of the finished product and new glass products can be made from over 90% recycled material.
Here in the UK, we recycled 57% of all glass bottles and jars in 2007 but this is still lagging behind other countries in Europe. There is also a shortage of clear glass being recycled despite the increase in clear wine bottles being made available on the market.
Road side collections are available in some areas and glass can also be sorted into bottle banks. It can then be made into new bottles, ground into sand for use on golf courses, used in construction or even used to make new roads.
Relevant link:
Recycle Now
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Quality Schemes:
Glassmark
Glass Training Ltd offer the Glassmark Diamond Rating Scheme to recognise employers with a commitment to training and developing staff and working towards the Investors in People Standard.
Relevant link:
Glassmark
FENSA
FENSA stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. A quarter of all households in England and Wales have used a FENSA registered installer in the past and FENSA have 9000 companies registered on the scheme.
When having windows and doors replaced homeowners must comply with current thermal performance standards and ensure that they get a certificate of compliance from FENSA or from Local Authority Building Control. FENSA also enables companies that install replacement windows and doors to self certify compliance under these Building Regulations.
Relevant link:
FENSA
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Awards:
G Awards
The Annual G Awards recognise quality in a number of areas and are judged by people from within the industry. Categories include:
Fabricator of the Year
Installer of the Year
Glass Company of the Year
Conservatory Installer of the Year
Training and Development Award
Customer Care Initiative of the Year
Health and Safety Initiative of the Year
Energy Efficiency Initiative Award
Social Housing Project of the Year
Promotional Campaign of the Year
Glass Project of the Year
Specialist of the Year
Relevant link:
G Awards
Pearsons Prize
The Pearsons Prize rewards the best creative talent in glass workers, artists and designers.
Categories include:
Best use of glass in Fusion
Best use of glass in Retail and interior
Best use of stained glass including Restoration
Best use of glass in Architectural Application
Best use of glass in Flame Working and Jewellery
Best use of glass in Free Art
Best use of glass in Engraving
Best use of glass in Casting
Relevant link:
Pearsons Prize
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Exhibitions:
British Society of Scientific Glassblowers Symposium
A gathering of eminent glass blowers offering lectures and exhibits.
10-12 September 2009 – Glasgow, Scotland.
Relevant link:
BSSG
Glassex
There’s free admission for this UK glass exhibition.
17-19 March 2009 – National Exhibition Centre. Birmingham, England.
Relevant link:
Glassex
Glassman Europe
Exhibits industrial-scale glassmaking equipment and services.
13-14 May 2009 - Cite Centre de Congres. Lyon, France.
Relevant link:
Glassman Europe
Glasstec
The Glasstec fair, held every two years, can profess to being the largest trade fair for the glass industry, showcasing new developments, processes and innovations.
21-25 October 2008 - Düsseldorf Fairgrounds. Düsseldorf, Germany.
Relevant link:
Glasstec
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What is a statutory training levy?
Governments may have come and gone in the time since the Industrial Training Act 1982 came into place, but the threat of a statutory training levy being placed on the glass industry remains consistent.
A training levy would mean all members of the industry would pay into a central pool governed over by the Industry Training Board (ITB). Members may then receive grants towards the provision of training, but only if the training programmes they wish to undertake have been approved by the ITB. This threatens the autonomous and voluntary approach towards training which members of our industry are afforded today and we believe that there are better and more cost-effective ways to develop your employees.
2011 could signal the end to this self-regulatory approach if companies do not act quickly to show that they can and are being responsible in investing in their workforces, both big and small.
Membership of Glass Training Limited is not only about workplace training, despite the obvious benefits this alone would provide.We also act as a forum for sharing best practice and protecting the rights of sector companies to carry out training independently.
Relevant link:
Membership
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What is an NVQ equivalent to?
NVQs, or National Vocation Qualifications, are generally held to be equivalent to:
NVQ Level 1:
- CGSE, SCE, CSE
- RSA Stage 1
- Vocational Certificate, such as a BTEC
NVQ Level 2: - 1 A Level, GNVQ or SNVQ
- RSA Stage 2/Dipolma
- City and Guilds Certificate such as BTEC, BEC, SCOTBEC, TEC, SCOTEC or SCOTVEC 1st or general diploma
NVQ Level 3: - 2 or more A Levels, GNVQs or SNVQs
- City and Guilds Level 3, Part 3 or Advanced
NVQ Level 4: - First Degree
- HND
- Nursing or Teaching Qualification
NVQ Level 5:
Relevant link:
NVQ Qualifications
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Useful links:
British Glass
City and Guilds
Glass and Glazing Federation
Glass Qualifications Authority
International Glass Centre
OCR
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