The Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) has announced that 1,000 candidates have completed its Basic Competency Programme (BCP), a target which has been reached a year ahead of schedule.
The BCP is a manufacturer-led training course designed to help create a path to full training in liquid waterproofing to NVQ level two.
A first for the industry, it was launched in 2015 as a collaborative approach for the entire roofing industry alongside the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA), the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors (FTMRC) and the Lead Contractors Association (LCA).
The training was initially run as a trial with LRWA manufacturer members with Polyroof conducting the first-ever course. Following its success, the initiative was quickly adapted by other disciplines in the roofing sector.
David Hanson MP for Delyn, said: “I had the pleasure of presenting the first ever BCP certificates as Polyroof is a company within my own Delyn constituency.
“It is fantastic to hear that so many roofers have since benefited from this important initiative, ensuring they have the skills they need to further their careers and raise standards across the sector.”
The BCP course covers everything from health and safety to roof design and project planning. Successful candidates receive a red ‘Experienced Worker’ CSCS card which is valid for three years providing them with the time they need to obtain the NVQ and qualify for a blue ‘Skilled Worker’ CSCS card.
The 1,000th candidate is from LRWA manufacturer member, Sika Liquid Plastics, who joins successful trainees from 12 LRWA manufacturer members from across the UK, including Darren Runnicles, who was the 750th candidate to complete the training with Polyroof, and Dean Stafford, the 500th BCP trainee with Langley.
Sarah Spink, chief executive of the LRWA, added: “The fact that our target has been reached 12 months early, reflects the urgent need for roofers to upskill, especially as both public and private sector organisations are starting to insist on the correct CSCS skills card before access to site.
“We encourage all those that have completed their BCP training to complete a ‘Profiling Document’ which will advise on the best route to take to obtain NVQ L2 as ultimately it is this qualification that will allow operatives to apply for a blue, ‘Skilled Worker’ CSCS card.”
