Roofers lacking formal qualifications can now enjoy CITB-funded training thanks to Redland’s accreditation as an approved provider of the Basic Competency Programme (BCP) for pitched roofing.
The BCP certificate – when combined with a Working at Heights CSCS Health & Safety Test pass – entitles both apprentices and ‘old hands’ to apply for the three-year Red ‘Experienced Worker’ CSCS ‘ticket’, allowing them to work on site while looking towards the next level of qualification.
The main objective of the BCP is to support roofers without either a full competency or an official roofing qualification in obtaining one; and help them to convert their green CSCS cards to the Blue Skilled Worker CSCS version. It will also help those in other trades, perhaps already holding higher level CSCS cards, to change sector or add to their skill sets. The BCP is endorsed by the CITB, the NFRC CompetentRoofer scheme and CSCS.
The two-day course covers areas such as pitch, scale, orientation, setting out, constants, estimating, understanding BS 5534; plus practical ‘how to’ sessions on the installation of roofing systems, both single lap interlocking and double lap plain tile and slate. The course is delivered from Redland’s National Training Centre based just outside Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Heavily subsidised by Redland and the CITB, the course costs only £150 for both the training and certification. A CITB training grant may also be available to qualifying companies, bringing the total cost of the BCP certificate down to just £50.
Mat Woodyatt, technical training manager at Redland, said: “Obviously it’s an honour for Redland to be recognised as the only one currently capable of meeting BCP certification training demands for pitched roofing. But beyond that, it’s fantastic for us to be involved with bringing through the next generation of roofers, as well as setting older hands off on the qualification pathway. It’s great for us, great for them and great for the industry”.
