This week more than 130 guests gathered in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament for an NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) reception celebrating the progress being made to tackle construction skills shortages across Scotland.
The evening was sponsored by Carol Mochan MSP, who welcomed guests and 15 fellow parliamentarians. Their presence underlined cross-party recognition of the vital role roofing and wider construction trades play in delivering Scotland’s housing, heritage-repair and net-zero ambitions.
Students and teachers from six pioneering schools—Stirling High, Castlebrae Community High, Portobello High, Larbert High, Wester Hailes High and Prestwick Academy—shared their experiences of NFRC Skills Demonstrations and new National 5 courses at tables throughout the venue.
Carol Mochan MSP praised the partnership approach that is opening doors to rewarding careers for young Scots, while Lee Liddington, NFRC Scotland’s 2024 Ronnie Forsyth Apprentice of the Year, spoke passionately about his journey into roofing.
Since 2012 NFRC, with partners such as Historic Environment Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council, has run hundreds of practical demonstrations and piloted National 5 courses that are now gaining traction with policymakers.
NFRC said it will continue to press for every secondary school to host annual Skills Demonstrations and for National 5 construction pathways to be available nationwide. The evening closed on a note of shared purpose with “industry, educators and government standing together to secure Scotland’s roofs and its future workforce”.
