A new trade association has been launched in the industry with outstanding roofing, skills and craftsmanship at the heart of its core values.
The Association of Master Roofers (AMR) symbolises a new chapter: “A dynamic team of professionals from all backgrounds and ages who focus on the grass roots of roof craft and roofing, alongside innovating roofing trends and new green, positive changes.”
AMR is a not-for-profit sister company to Master Roofers UK (MRUK), who has an online membership of thousands of tradespeople across its social media forums.
MRUK has teamed up with NCTS to offer training and nationwide support for contractors and individuals seeking to learn and qualify in roofing disciplines.
Working with passion
AMR claims to offer roofing contractors a transparent and membership-first approach, with core values such as “retaining traditional roof skills”, and “working collaboratively with other professional bodies within the UK sector.”
When members join, they can be assured that AMR will champion their concerns, interests and opportunities to develop as roofing craftspeople and contracting businesses.
The AMR membership will become the badge of quality assurance that customers can trust, with its driving force being a stringent membership vetting process by industry specialists, who assess roofers in the disciplines they excel in.
In addition, members will be able to maintain their standards and reputations with the use of the association’s ongoing support, training, and provision of an insurance-backed guarantee scheme which contractor members can opt into.
Stewart Rowles, managing director, explained: “We are dedicated to leading initiatives to close the skills gap, raise standards and inspire a new generation to feel proud to be part of the roofing trade. We want the industry to work together to address its problems.
“This will enable roofing businesses to recruit the skilled operatives they need and to bring in new apprentices to their companies.
“We hope to work with roof training groups and roofing federations to make apprenticeship training and upskilling an easy and ongoing choice for members.”
Furthermore, the association will be collaborating with manufacturers and suppliers in multiple ways; not only to better understand this side of the industry, but to also play a vital role in product development and best practices to create an efficient and digitalised sector.
Thorough vetting of members
The AMR has a detailed and thorough vetting process in place which will cover on-site workmanship, including professional discussion, and office vetting which examines insurances, health and safety policies and company health. This process will be carried out by a team of vetting officers, ensuring that accepted members have demonstrated the very highest standards of roofing ability, with each discipline vetted separately by industry experts.
Another facet to the association, which aims to give personal accreditation to industry professionals, is the recognised individual’s category. This also has a stringent process which includes looking at the application criteria such as CVs, work history and achievements.
The application is brought in for consideration in front of a committee, followed by successful applicants being granted membership under the individual’s section of the website, where they can include a personal photo and a written biography section.
Addressing the skills gap
Explaining what the AMR seeks to achieve regarding the skills gap, Stewart said: “The skills gap is a huge issue for the sector, and we need to do more to create open discourse with training providers nationwide to bring about a collaborative effort to upskill more young roofers.
“AMR will work alongside Master Roofers UK and a network of roof training groups to connect contractors with nearby training providers to increase competency in roofing.
“This will include everything from basic competency training, like health and safety, to NVQ qualifications in roofing skills and site management qualifications.”
Working alongside Stewart are directors Mark Chandler and Chris Hopkins. Meanwhile, Steve Reynolds heads up the specialist contractor membership team.
In addition, a team of vetting officers around the UK are ready to undertake site visits for potential specialist contractors. A marketing manager along with admin, web and IT staff are also in place to ensure the smooth running of AMR’s website and online application processes.
Stewart said: “I’m delighted and excited to be working with such a strong, dynamic team, and we will be looking for additional staff members and industry volunteers as the association moves along in the next 12 months.”
The AMR’s core values are:
Celebrating craftsmanship: Recognising and celebrating craftsmanship in all its forms, from newbuild, low-cost housing, to heritage restoration projects.
Working for the betterment of the roofing industry: Acting selflessly for the overall progress and enhancement of the roofing industry across the board.
Showcasing good work and working practices: Highlighting and rewarding acts of good workmanship, working practices and work ethics.
Supporting industry manufacturers: Working with and offering support and feedback to all manufacturers in the industry, who are an integral part of the roofing industry.
Retaining traditional roofing skills: Working hard to promote, nurture and retain the traditional roof skills in the UK.
Creating support and value for members: Maximising the benefits for members in all categories.
Giving peace of mind to homeowners that the association is the hallmark of fully vetted, highly specialist roofing contractors: Creating a rigorous and robust vetting process to ensure AMR represents an industry standard in quality members.
Combating the skills gap in the UK roofing sector: Focusing on improving the skills gap within the area of construction by raising the profile of roofing in a positive and attractive way.
Provide a network of nationwide hubs to support and train skilled roofers: To work to connect people with the upskilling they need throughout the UK by working closely with training providers.
Working to support roof training groups in the UK: Supporting and working with the UK roof training groups collaboratively for the overall betterment of the roofing sector.
Focusing on innovative roofing trends and green positive initiatives for the future: Working to keep abreast of changes and innovations in roofing, which are significant in the future evolutions of roofing and roofing work practices.
For more information about the AMR, email: info@aomr.uk or call 01422 752177. You can also visit the association’s website at www.associationofmasterroofers.co.uk.
