NFRC Parliamentary Reception Celebrates Tackling Skills Shortages

A PARLIAMENTARY RECEPTION was held on Tuesday 3 June at the Scottish Parliament for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ (NFRC), hosted by Carol Mochan MSP.

More than 130 guests, including 15 parliamentarians, attended the reception which marked the work of the NFRC in creating ‘A Blueprint for Scotland’s Emerging Construction Talent’.

NFRC is working to increase collaboration with the Scottish Parliament and local authorities, to improve access to pathways in roofing and construction that face critical skills and labour shortages.

Led by the Chairperson of NFRC Scotland and Edinburgh-based Compass Roofing MD, Scott Miller, NFRC Scotland has piloted promoting roofing as a career in schools through the National 5 programme for Construction Skills.

Scott Miller called on employers to match government support by taking on more apprentices and engaging with local schools. He said, “The Nat 5 integrated pilots have been trialled with three Edinburgh schools this year with huge success.

“This feels very much like just the beginning with a lot of interest in the Nat 5 from across Scotland. We want every young person to get the same opportunity to experience the many and varied careers in construction to help them make informed decisions about their future careers. We want to work with education and other stakeholders across Scotland to develop and deliver a long term, sustainable model which will be truly impactful for industry and young people”

National 5 Construction Skills

Focused on 14-16-year-olds, the programme raises awareness and knowledge of the multiple opportunities available for a career in construction, including in the roofing industry, and creates a pathway for school leavers to obtain an apprenticeship.

Students and teachers from six pioneering schools—Stirling High, Castlebrae Community High, Portobello High, Larbert High, Wester Hailes High and Prestwick Academy— enthusiastically shared their experiences of NFRC Skills Demonstrations and new National 5 courses providing early, hands-on exposure to the trades.

Lewis Miller (left) with students from Stirling High school – Bobby Lowe, Jake Grantham and Dylan Harrison with their tutor and (right) Colin McCorquodale, NFRC National President.

Fellow director at Compass Roofing, Lewis Miller has spearheaded the work in schools which provides practical and theoretical roofing sessions in schools, as well as providing insight into the industry.

NFRC Parliamentary Reception

(l-r) Carol Mochan MSP, Scott Miller, NFRC Scotland Chair, Bob Coutts NFRC Head of Training, Lewis Miller, director at Compass Roofing, Leed Liddigton, NFRC Scotland’s 2024 Ronnie Forsyth Apprentice of the Year

Demonstrating steadfast support for widening access to construction careers, Carol Mochan MSP said “Education of our young people is so important. In my work that I’ve been doing in the Parliament with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors we are trying to raise awareness of construction skills, particularly in roofing. NFRC demonstrations of roofing skills and initiatives such as the National 5 pilot are so invaluable.”

Lee Liddigton speaking at the NFRC Parliamentary reception.

Speaking of his pathway into the trade, Lee Liddington, NFRC Scotland’s 2024 Ronnie Forsyth Apprentice of the Year, said, “I think roofing is a trade that deserves more recognition for the huge opportunities it offers to young people with the right attitude to succeed.” Lee spoke of the challenges in accessing training in Scotland, with obstacles such as long daily travelling times to overcome and welcomed the coming together of Scottish MSPs, councillors and colleges in addressing these barriers.

Stephen Kelly, City of Edinburgh Council’s Head of Education also spoke at the reception, discussing gaps in construction skills education and how equity of opportunity can be addressed for Scotland’s next generation.

Since 2012 NFRC, with partners such as Historic Environment Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council, has run hundreds of practical roofing skills demonstrations and piloted National 5 courses that it says are now gaining traction with policymakers.

Bob Coutts was presented with the NFRC Pin of Honour at the Scottish Parliament reception for his 40+ years dedicated to mentoring and training hundreds of young people in the UK roofing industry.

An NFRC spokesperson said, “The reception celebrated how those initiatives are already sparking interest in traditional and modern roofing techniques. We are building stronger school-to-industry links and creating a clearer route into apprenticeships at a time when UK apprenticeship starts have fallen by a third since 2015, according to the CITB.

“NFRC will continue to press for every secondary school to host annual Skills Demonstrations and for National 5 construction pathways to be available nationwide, ensuring every young person can explore a career in roofing and other trades.”

>>Read more about the NFRC in the news