John Mellor, head of marketing at Glidevale Protect, sponsor of the Young Achiever Award category at the Pitched Roofing Awards, explains how events like this are just one way we can all support the next generation of roofers and tackle the sector-wide skills gap head-on.
Putting roofers in the spotlight
Roofing is a specialist trade and it’s essential we don’t lose the skills that have been developed over generations while also making sure it moves with the times to accommodate new technologies. It’s important to have a skilled tradesperson installing roofing products correctly to ensure that roofs are fully watertight and ventilated properly to prevent the build-up of harmful condensation which can lead to mould growth.
With some roofers now nearing retirement age, unless more is done to encourage greater numbers of young people to join the industry it will be a struggle to retain the specialist skills the market needs. We have to challenge any misconceptions about starting a career in roofing and highlight how rewarding it can be.
>>Get your entry in now, deadline for the Pitched Roofing Awards is 5 July.
There are some great individuals who show how young people can thrive in the industry. Putting them in the spotlight and giving them the recognition they deserve through industry awards like this is a great a way to challenge outdated perceptions. The Pitched Roofing Awards’ Young Achiever category aims to shine a light on young people who are doing outstanding work and setting a good example for others to follow. The judges look for exceptional roofing contractors or apprentices, working in any capacity and at any level, who have made a significant improvement in their company’s business as a result of their hard work.
Having more colleges focused on the subject of roofing, bringing more apprentices through the system and offering greater incentives for contractors to take on apprentices, should all have an impact on the shortage of people joining the sector. Making more vocational training opportunities available for roofers currently in work as well as collaborations between roofing contractors and colleges will help raise the profile of the industry too.
Investing in industry training to close the skills gap now
While these ideas are more long-term and focused on encouraging more young people to consider a future career as a roofer, there are things we can be doing now to address the current and very real skills gap. This is where we all need to play our part – manufacturers, contractors and housebuilders alike – to address this issue.
Some product manufacturers, like Glidevale Protect, offer CPDs and product advice, and make materials donations to colleges, which goes some way to making college funds stretch further while also supporting students’ practical learning. By working in partnership with manufacturers and suppliers, colleges get access to the latest product innovations on the market, as well as gaining an understanding of the challenges facing the sector allowing them to prepare the next cohort of roofers. These partnerships also enable colleges to tap into the expertise and knowledge of industry experts.
Glidevale Protect has worked closely with higher education establishments including Leeds College of Building, Bolton College and South Devon College. As part of this, our Training Manager, Andy Mathers, has delivered CPD sessions on areas such as ventilation and roofing underlays. We have also donated materials and undertaken toolbox talks, so students can get hands-on experience of using our products and installing them correctly.
We’re members of leading trade associations such as NFRC and it’s great to see them and other associations offering a dedicated careers service to promote roofing as a skilled, professional sector, offering a valuable resource for young people, and career changers to receive guidance on future employment.
We’re also focused on supporting those working on current roofing projects to equip them with the knowledge they need to meet the requirements of new regulations and standards, helping them work effectively with new technologies. With an increase in demand for integrated in-roof solar PV panels, for example, roofing contractors need to keep pace with installing this technology, including understanding the different underlays available and the associated ventilation strategies required on a cold or warm roof with integrated solar panels. Hidden protectors such as roofing membranes and ventilation products used in harmony play a central role in helping to control condensation and boost airflow over the lifetime of the roof space.
Glidevale Protect is on hand to offer a comprehensive technical advice service to help contractors achieve compliance as regulations evolve, whilst supporting the future of the roofing industry by engaging with the next generation.
The winner of this year’s Young Achiever Award will be announced at the Pitched Roofing Awards ceremony in Manchester on Friday 22nd November.
