SkillBuild 2022 Showcases Outstanding Roofing Skills in Challenging Conditions

OUTSTANDING roofing work on display from the seven apprentices competing at the 2022 SkillBuild finals taking place on 15-17 November at Edinburgh College.

The seven contestants battled it out for the top winning place, constructing a slate and tile rig to an exact specification and deadline.

SkillBuild 2022

The competitors completed the first rig in slate, using Heavy 3 slate donated by CUPA PIZARRAS. This slate is commonly used in Scotland to withstand the sometimes severe weather conditions of the country. However, not all competitors were familiar with working with the 7-8mm thick slate.

Judge Bob Coutts, explained, “It presented extra challenges of grading and setting out the slate to ensure a smooth and level finish, as well as cutting the slate by hand to compose the intricate circular pattern design which is part of the competition’s specification. It tests the whole experience of slating.”

Judge, Matt Timby, added, “The Skillbuild apprentices start the contest with a certain amount of information, but the process is designed as a learning experience, applying new skills, which the contestants have really flown with this year.”

Joining Matt and Bob Coutts was fellow judge Andy Rowlands, in scrutinising work over the whole 18 hours of the contest, as the apprentices from across the UK also completed a second rig in plain tiles contributed by BMI Redland. This involved a cut valley, bonnet hip and mortared verge.

Jason Owens of Owens LRJ Roofing, employer of apprentice Jordan Maley, said, “It’s been a great competition to recognise not only the very good education Jordan’s receiving at college, but also providing a great experience here. Taking part as one of the best young roofers in the country is a great accolade in itself – and we can use that in our communications and marketing to customers.”

A third year roofing apprentice at South Lanarkshire College tutored by Ross Hepburn, Jordan Maley, 28, is already an accomplished roofer and won last year’s Great British Slate Off. Jordan said, “I love competing and showcasing my skills. I get to practice techniques and details I don’t often get to do in my normal work. It’s a real test of skills: working to small tolerances, perfect perp’ lines, neat cement work and everything balanced to achieve the overall look. I enjoy the challenge, but it certainly hasn’t been easy – there’s a lot of good talent here and it will be a very close competition.”

The winner of this year’s roofing SkillBuild will be announced by WorldSkills on 25 November, 2022.

Challenging Conditions

SkillBuild is organised by the NFRC, and this year’s NFRC President, Mark Mitchell, attended the competition final. He said, “The apprentices have demonstrated amazing fortitude and the quality of workmanship is fantastic. They’ve kept at it over the three days and showed their skills in roofing this striking and unseen design, as well as working with the challenges of the venue.”

Usually taking place at Birmingham’s NEC, SkillBuild was organised differently this year, with the ‘biblical trades’ being separated from the other WorldSkills occupations. Sited in Edinburgh College’s car park, the roofing apprentices worked in a cold and wet marquee tent with minimal heating and welfare facilities.

Chris Slack, CITB Product & Services Co-ordinator, said, “CITB organised the trades part of the event with the idea being to showcase these skills in an area. However, WorldSkills chose the location, while SkillBuild does the projects and materials.”

Responding to observations of the wet, dangerous conditions and lack of facilities, Grace Jones, CITB Public Relations Officer said, “It’s different, we’d like it to be back at the NEC in an ideal world.”

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