Professionalism
"To solve the skills shortage, we must be a professional industry."
- NFRC Group CEO James Talman.
NFRC is intently focused on the sector's critical skills shortage and believes the industry must constantly strive to make its workers feel valued and become a widely attractive pathway for new entrants.
Training
Consistently high-quality workmanship leads to higher-quality homes and a better reputation for roofers. NFRC Competent Person's Scheme gives companies high-level training and an in-depth understanding of standards, allowing them to self-certify their work. NFRC's accreditation scheme, RoofCERT, gives individuals the skills to prove their knowledge is up-to-date. Last year, NFRC collaborated with the House Builders Federation and National House-Building Council to launch free Roofing Masterclasses for the home building industry. The increased uptake of these schemes is essential as the sector faces more regulation and higher competency demands. NFRC is committed to ensuring our Members have the right skills and represent our industry faithfully.
Intake
Roofing needs 900 apprentices yearly to meet demand, but there were only 300 last year. There are approximately 36,000 vacancies across the wider construction sector. NFRC is focused on attracting and supporting new entrants into the sector. NFRC has a great relationship with the Construction Industry Training Board, which has funded us to provide tailored support to new entrants into the industry through the England Construction Opportunities project. NFRC Head of Careers Ruth Scarrott is working hard to attract and retain fresh talent from diverse backgrounds. She is constantly advocating for apprenticeships to stop being compared to university - they can stand alone as a worthwhile route to a great career. NFRC will work closely with Skills England once it is operational in 2025, ensuring the new body listens to employer advice from every level of industry.
