IKO Partners with Simian Supporting the Next Generation of Roofing Professionals

IN CELEBRATION of National Apprenticeship Week (10-14 February 2025), roofing manufacturer IKO PLC is partnering with training provider SIMIAN.

The collaboration will equip the next generation of roofing professionals with premium training materials and real-world experience, helping to address the industry’s growing skills shortage.

Roofing Apprenticeships

IKO will provide essential flat roofing materials – including built-up roofing and single-ply products – to SIMIAN’s roofing apprenticeship programmes.

By integrating IKO’s high-quality materials into hands-on training, apprentices will gain practical experience that mirrors real-world site conditions, preparing them for long-term success in the sector.

Collaboration

The initiative, facilitated by the North West Roof Training Group (NWRTG) – a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing, improving and providing training for roofing contractors – highlights the power of collaboration in tackling workforce shortages and sustaining the future of the construction industry.

Kerry Parker-Wray, Strategic Development Director at IKO, said: “This partnership is about more than just materials – it’s about building a highly skilled workforce for the future. By working with SIMIAN, we’re able to support more people entering the roofing trade, sharpening their skills and building lasting careers.”

Addressing the Roofing Skills Shortage

With clients facing the longest waiting lists for roofers of all trades, due to a shortage of skilled professionals, IKO’s collaboration with SIMIAN is more important than ever. Research shows that customers wait an average of nine weeks for a roofer – nearly double the national average of five weeks for other trades.

Simon Hughes, Managing Director at SIMIAN, emphasised the impact of the partnership, “We’re incredibly grateful to IKO for their generous support. Providing our apprentices with hands-on experience using industry-standard materials is invaluable. With demand for skilled roofers at an all-time high, partnerships like this are essential to bringing fresh talent into the industry and ensuring they have the expertise to succeed.”

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