Joseph Gallagher is Winner of SkillBuild 2024

JOSEPH GALLAGHER is the winner of the 2024 SkillBuild competition for Roof Slating and Tiling.

The Bolton College apprentice works at family firm IH Gallagher Roofing Ltd based in Altrincham, Cheshire.

Joe impressed the judges with his precision and accuracy, completing his roofing rig at the 2024 SkillBuild contest that took place on 20-21 November at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

In second place is Alfie Waddington, apprentice at Leeds College of Building and in third is Hamish Morgan, training at Edinburgh College.

Winning SkillBuild, Joseph Gallagher had only returned two days before from the IFD World Championship for Young Roofers in Austria, where he represented GB with team mate Tyler Norris, and receiving coverage from BBC News.

Joe said, “I’m very glad to have done it. It was a brilliant atmosphere between all the countries’ teams there and we got lots of feedback and compliments on our slate work. But it’s been a massive rush to then come straight to SkillBuild.

“I was very pleased with my rig here and getting it all finished. It’s been a great experience and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the other finalists and seeing how they work.”

SkillBuild 2024

Judging the competition were the expert NFRC roofing technical team, Andy Rowlands and Matt Timby.

The judges assessed the competitors on several aspects – including technical ability, time management, problem solving, skills working under pressure, and compliance with health and safety requirements.

Judge Andy Rowlands commented: “In all the years I’ve judged SkillBuild, I’d say this year represents the most level playing field of competitors – all six are exceptional young roofers. They are a credit to their college instructors and employers.

“As we came to the end of the competition, we had completed most of the marking but still hadn’t identified a clear winner. All the contestants had completed their rigs, and all to a very high standard. They had all followed the specification and health and safety rules. None were phased by performing in front of an industry audience and just maintained their focus.

“It’s a very positive position to be in when you’re judging on the ‘millimetre-perfect’ sizing and cutting, checking for perfect perpendicular alignment and flawless mortar work.”

High Standard

SkillBuild contestants were required to complete roofing tasks over the two-day event using three materials. Firstly, a dormer style Cedar shingles roof complete with hips and ridge. Then the competitors laid five courses from the verge of clay plain tiles, finishing with Roman clay tiles including a GRP valley and ridge with mortar filling.

Judge Matt Timby said, “All finalists at this year’s SkillBuild have achieved an incredibly high standard and I have to say each could have won. It just comes down to their individual performance on the day, looking at each one’s work solely on the merits of what they achieve.

“These young roofers are the future of our industry and that is a very heartening thought because they have proved their roofing skills are a very good quality and their hard working attitude reflects very well on them, their tutors and employers.”

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