Roofing Employers and College Share Ideas on Apprentice Training

This month, Leeds College of Building (LCB) brought roofing employers and tutors together to share knowledge and experience of the Roof Slating and Tiling apprenticeship, with a focus on how close collaboration can support apprentices on their journey to qualification.

The Employers Day, held at the start of the new academic year, provided an opportunity for businesses to find out more about the apprenticeship programme, its key milestones and the role employers play as apprentices progress towards End Point Assessment (EPA).

Senior roofing tutor Dave Mallory hosted the event with new roofing tutor Chris Vessey, who joined the college’s roofing department this year.

An experienced roofer, Chris Vessey previously worked with well-known Leeds firm Pickles Brothers before starting his own company.

“Although I’ve only been in post for a few months, I’m already impressed by the standard of work I’ve seen from many of the apprentices,” said Chris.

He highlighted the importance of employers and the college working together throughout an apprentice’s training, helping young people develop their skills while ensuring businesses get the benefit of their investment in apprenticeships.

With many of the second-year apprentice cohort progressing well, attention is now turning towards their completion.

“Collaboration with employers is so important,” said Dave Mallory.

“Not only do the roofing apprentices working for them need their backing in terms of providing a range of roofing activities to successfully complete their apprenticeship, employers also need to judge when the apprentice is ready for an End Point Assessment to complete the course.

“Employers need to understand how the apprenticeship works and what the milestones are that need their input.”

Employer Perspective

Attending the event was Construction Manager, Aaron Peel from family-run Bradford Roofing Contractors Ltd.

The company employs 35 roofers directly, with a further 15 working as subcontractors. It has supported seven apprentices at Leeds College of Building over the past three years and currently has two apprentices studying at the college.

One of them, Liam Rose, is now preparing to undertake his EPA and complete his qualification.

As a manager, and former apprentice at Leeds College of Building himself, Aaron understands the benefits apprentices can bring to a roofing business and the value of working with their training provider.

“Our apprentices are the ones whose excellent attitude shone through at interview,” he said. “They are keen and willing, ask plenty of questions and always looking to improve.

“Working closely with Leeds College of Building roofing department means we can ensure our apprentices are provided with opportunities to practise the topics and skills they are learning and iron out any issues as we go along.”

Long-Standing Relationships

More than 50 roofing apprentices are currently studying at Leeds College of Building, with many of the companies involved having worked with the college for years — and in some cases decades.

Dave Mallory, who has taught at the college since 2003, is now seeing apprentices from employers whose previous apprentices he remembers teaching.

The long-standing relationships between the college and roofing businesses have also helped establish LCB as a recognised centre for roofing training.

Its apprentices regularly feature among the finalists and winners of the national SkillBuild competition, while several have gone on to represent Great Britain at the IFD World Championship for Young Roofers.

LCB apprentices have also reached the finals and won places in the BMI Apprentice of the Year competition.

Sharing Knowledge

The collaborative approach extends beyond individual employers and the college.

Dave Mallory has been involved since its inception with the Roofing Tutor Forum, which annually brings tutors together at the BMI National Training Academy in Gloucestershire to share knowledge, exchange curriculum information and discuss practice.

A second meeting during the year is now being organised, with roofing training providers and colleges taking turns to host.

Optimum Skills will host the first of these additional meetings in the North East, providing another opportunity for tutors to share experience and ideas across the roofing training sector.

The college is also set to take on a wider role in the development of technical education provision across the region, building on its position as a specialist construction college.

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