28th November 2017
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) announced plans at the annual conference last week, to introduce an accreditation scheme, in what is being called a 'major landmark' for the roofing industry in the UK.
Set to begin next year, the scheme is being launched in a collaboration between the NFRC and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), in a bid to improve skills across the roofing industry, and to encourage innovative use of the latest technology. The CITB have strongly supported for some time, action to address the challenges the roofing and construction industries face with an ageing workforce and a severe skills shortage.
CITB Industry Relations Director spoke at the annual conference and said, 'The CITB is placing its support with the NFRC to create the sustainable demand for professional roofers in the built environment and by doing so ensuring that employers and clients benefit from an accredited workforce.'
The teams behind the scheme will help to address these issues and modernise the industry working practises, support and training networks, and access to technology in an innovative environment. The new accreditation scheme will be chaired by the current chairman of the Competent Person Forum and the Trade Association Forum, Mr Jon Vanstone, who has eight years of experience in the construction industry sectors. He is enthusiastic about the project to plan the scheme programme ready for delivery, which is set to commence in 2018. He said, 'This is an incredibly exciting step forward for the roofing industry and with engagement across the board it could change the perception of a career in roofing and encourage more people into the sector.'
Mr James Talman, the chief executive of the NFRC, talked about attracting a younger, more technically-driven generation of roofers and construction workers, and looks forward to tackling some of the industry's greatest challenges head on. He said, 'Our aim is to address some of these issues and make sure roofing contractors have the support they need to operate efficiently and confidently.'