RoofCERT Restarts with Funding to Accredit Up To 900 Roofers

THE NFRC has recently gained funding from the CITB to finish the accreditation of up to 900 roofers.

Securing Training and Development funding of almost £200,000, NFRC is offering completion of the RoofCERT accreditation process to roofers who had not finished it before the scheme ended in 2023.

Applicants who had previously registered can continue their RoofCERT accreditation free of charge.

NFRC says around 450 roofers have so far taken up the offer, and they will receive the funding on successful completion of accreditation.

RoofCERT Restarts

An NFRC spokesperson explains: “Under the new CITB funding agreement, which covers those previously enrolled and part way through accreditation, participants are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds and it is not tied to NFRC membership.

“There are roofers with experience in slating and tiling who have no vocational qualifications and wish to take the ‘Experienced Worker Route’ (EWR) to RoofCERT accreditation. There are also roofing contractors with NVQ 2 (or Scottish equivalent) or above, across multiple disciplines who are using the ‘Qualified Route’ to RoofCERT accreditation.”

Achieving Accreditation

The accreditation process remains unchanged from the original scheme. Roofers need to meet qualification requirements relevant to their discipline and pass the discipline knowledge tests.

As before, there will be an invigilated multiple-choice test, an industry approved competence assessment and other requirements for proof of learning.

The only difference now is the extension of the accreditation validity from three to five years, bringing RoofCERT in line with CSCS cards.

For roofers using the EWR route, earning RoofCERT will help them prove competence when applying for a CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card, also valid for five years.

Evidencing Competence

Since the first phase of the RoofCERT programme closed, the Building Safety Act 2022 means that evidencing competence for all construction workers is mandatory.

NFRC says it aims to provide a structured, industry-recognised way for roofers to demonstrate current competence in their chosen discipline.

By completing RoofCERT, individuals can show ongoing proficiency, maintain or obtain a CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card, and stay competitive in the job market.

NFRC adds, “Earning RoofCERT not only boosts roofers’ employability but also enables employers to demonstrate their workforce’s competency, in line with Building Safety Act requirements for the contracts they undertake.”

Ongoing Professional Development

While vocational qualifications and apprenticeship standards are another route to demonstrating competence, achieving RoofCERT accreditation offers the additional benefit of ongoing development.

This was recommended in Building a Safer Future (2018) by Dame Judith Hackitt: “The construction sector and fire sector should develop continuous improvement approaches to competence levels”.

RoofCERT includes ongoing development (CPD), a periodic renewal assessment, and a knowledge test on a five-year renewal cycle, demonstrating roofers’ knowledge and skills are up to date.

As industry regulations, standards, and practices evolve, RoofCERT will help ensure accredited roofers continue to meet industry needs and best practices.

The Future of RoofCERT  

While NFRC is not taking new applications for RoofCERT at this stage, the organisation says registration of interest from new potential applicants is welcome.

The trade association has confirmed its commitment to ensuring the roofing industry has a standardised and sustainable format for re-validating competence in the future.

NFRC comments, “Discussions around a sustainable programme tied into CITB grants and other potential avenues remain ongoing, and once the current project work is complete, NFRC will work to ensure there is a model that future proofs re-validation of competence for our sector.”

The intention is to have a sustainable, relevant scheme in place that meets future industry, regulatory, legislative and business requirements around installer competence for the roofing sector.

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