Build Your Future Event Inspires Next Generation of Traditional Roofers

Over 100 school pupils attended the Build Your Future traditional skills taster event at Edinburgh Castle on 27 and 28 May.

Delivered under the leadership of Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Traditional Building Forum, and the City of Edinburgh Council, the event was designed to inspire the next generation of craftspeople, construction professionals, and heritage specialists, while demonstrating the importance of protecting and sustaining these skills into the future.

Across the two days, pupils from schools across Edinburgh rotated through five interactive skills stations, with demonstrations and mini masterclasses led by industry specialists.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Roofers

Compass Roofing Ltd, a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), ran the heritage roof slating activity, delivering hands-on demonstrations in slate cutting and nail fixing.

“The event gives young people a chance to try loads of activities, so they know what jobs are out there when they leave school,” said Lewis Miller, Company Director at Compass Roofing.  

“It opens their eyes and gives them a lot more avenues to focus on when they leave school. They all say it’s very satisfying and they all seem to enjoy it,” he added.

Other stations covered stonemasonry, painting and graining, timber joinery, and modern construction techniques such as thermal insulation, illustrating how traditional craft and contemporary methods work together to maintain Scotland’s historic buildings.

Growing Recognition

This year’s event marks 14 years since NFRC first supported the inaugural Build Your Future skills demonstration in 2012, also held at Edinburgh Castle.

Since this first event, heritage skills have seen growing recognition in Scotland, with National 5 qualification pilots now embedding construction and traditional skills teaching directly into the school timetable. Delivered by NFRC members, the National 5 in traditional roof slating and tiling is now in its second year, and expanding to more schools across Scotland.

NFRC Scotland Regional Manager John McKinney said: “Events like today are vital if we’re serious about securing the future of traditional skills in Scotland.

“The drop-out rate in construction apprenticeships shows us that too many young people are arriving without a clear picture of what the work actually involves. Build Your Future skills demonstrations help address that, and the growth of the National 5 programme shows that real, lasting progress is possible when industry and education work together. NFRC and our member businesses are committed to playing our part in that.”

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