Raise the Roof Kickstarts 2026 at SPV Training Centre

The first Raise the Roof event of 2026 saw members and non-members gather on 22 January for a day of learning and networking at SPV Training in Walsall.

The event, hosted by SPV in conjunction with Juniper Training, provided young people and new starters entering the roofing industry with a chance to expand their network by engaging with roofing professionals from across the country.

Event activities were tailored to highlight the opportunities and support available across the industry. These included a networking workshop led by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and a panel debate featuring former apprentices, business owners and industry trailblazers.

Stuart Farndell from BMI UK & Ireland was also on hand to represent BMI Academy, sharing his knowledge as a trainer, providing tips on building a successful roofing career and sharing insights ahead of BMI’s 2026 Apprentice of the Year competition.

Inspirational Day

Raise the Roof Chair, Kate Whatley, commented: “It was a truly inspirational day with some amazing people and a fantastic mix of backgrounds and stories but it was clear that everyone there was super passionate about our amazing industry.

“As far as I am aware this is one of the first events that has invited students and industry professionals to interact and network and also build connections and relationships.

“It was fantastic to see the students at work in the training centre and also hear them speak so passionately about what they want to achieve in their careers.”

Raise the Roof

Spearheaded by Kate Whatley, Commercial Manager of SPV Special Projects and Denise Cherry, Chairperson of the National Roof Training Group, Raise the Roof aims to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) in roofing with the objective of educating, supporting and inspiring each other, and reaching out to all in the industry who support these goals.

Visit the Raise the Roof website for more information on future events.

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