Roofing apprentice Ben Page has been named Apprentice of the Year after competing with other Bolton College roofing apprentices.
Bolton College, which is part of the University of Bolton Group, selected the apprentices based on their performance in class.
Ben Page from Together Housing; Joe Moore from T M Roofing Service; Lloyd Sayers from Howarth Roofing Services; and Sam Hill from R. L. Lovatt were tasked with creating a slate open valley into a bedded hip, using materials donated by Welsh Slate and Midland Lead.
Stewart Rowles, who specialises in heritage restoration work, said: “As a judge, I looked at the small things – the measuring, laying out and accuracy of the work, as well as the apprentices’ roofing knowledge.”
Ben was named Apprentice of the Year, after impressing judges with his precise work. He previously worked as a labourer, before progressing to a career in roofing. Ben said: “I’m buzzing having won the award and I can’t wait to take my trophy home to show my little boy.”
Sue Wharton, group training officer at North West Roof Training Group, added: “Apprentices are the lifeblood of the roofing industry, and I really believe that this roofing department is the jewel in the crown of Bolton College.
“Due to housing and construction developments, 400 more roofers are needed in the north west by 2022, so it’s an exciting industry to get into; the demand is there, and an experienced roofer can expect to earn £800 per week. Many roofers I know have progressed to supervisors or site managers, or work as estimators.”
The North West Roof Training Group Apprentice of the Year Competition was a collaboration between the College’s roofing department and The North West Roof Training Group, a non-profit training organisation that enhances, improves and provides training for roofing contractors throughout the north west.
