CITB Funding Win to Bridge Roofing Skills Gaps

CITB HAS announced funding for a National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) scheme to support new starters in the roofing sector and bridge roofing skills gaps.

The roofing scheme, funded under the England Construction Opportunities (ECO) commission, will offer support to roofing industry employers to recruit and retain the workforce they need.

The ECO project supports new entrants and their employers to sustain employment from job start to six months into the job.

It will offer support in the workplace through job coaching, mentoring, employer engagement, peer and buddy systems or other appropriate support measures.

Research has shown that having more support available to new entrants when entering into employment increases the likelihood of their retention.

New Scheme

The scheme will help NFRC to:

• Support roofing employers to recruit and retain ‘new or returning to the industry’ employees in a wide range of roles, including on-site jobs as well as supervisors, designers, project managers and office support staff
• Guide the employer through the recruitment and interview stages
• Source site-readiness training for the new employee if required
• Guide the employer through accessing CITB grants for ongoing employment support for the new employee
• Offer in-work advice and support to both employer and employee

Roofing Skills Gaps

Ruth Scarrott, NFRC’s Head of Careers, said: “The sector has the opportunity to ensure that roofing is a real and positive career choice for all. The skills shortage in our industry is not a new challenge, but it needs to be tackled, especially as a high proportion of people in our industry are due to retire within the next 10 years, and as we have a lack of diversity in the workforce.

“The ECO project is a fantastic mechanism to support both employers and individuals in the roofing sector and give them targeted and appropriate support to aid employee retention and development. I urge all employers who are considering growing their workforce or have recently employed a new to industry employee, to get in touch with me to work together through the ECO project, via careers@nfrc.co.uk.”

The NFRC Roofing Careers Service is a free resource for employers and those considering or seeking a career in the roofing and cladding industry.

CITB Funding

NFRC’s scheme was one of eight projects to receive funding to deliver a combined total of 3,500 employment support plans to assist individuals to achieve sustained employment.

The eight projects are aligned in their approach, with the belief that regular ‘touch points’ and guidance sessions with sector specialists will be key to retaining more participants in construction roles.

Tim Balcon, CITB CEO

Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “It’s fantastic to see the ECO commission progress forward with eight successful bids. Their wealth of knowledge and experience, combined with their established partnerships, will be vital in creating the opportunities, supporting new entrants, and critically maximising skills retention in the industry, all of which CITB recognises is and will continue to be crucial for the foreseeable future.

“With a changing landscape and a demand in England alone for over 220,000 additional workers by 2026, the challenge industry faces should not be underestimated. However, this commission presents a great opportunity to contribute and address some of those key skills challenges, primarily helping towards securing construction’s talent pipeline. I’m really looking forward to watching the projects flourish and wish them all the best of luck as they move into the next phase.”

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