THE WALES National Roof Training Group (WNRTG) has been celebrating a recent move of premises with the Grand Opening of its new training centre at Roofbase Cardiff.

Lesley Hughes, WNRTG Roof Training Group Officer

Roof training group officer, Lesley Hughes, gave a warm welcome to Roofbase customers dropping in, as well as roofing firms that are already members.

The Open Day at Cardiff Roofbase in St Catherines Park, Pengam Road, saw suppliers giving product demonstrations as well as lots of information from Lesley on the training courses and grant funding available for roofing companies across South Wales and neighbouring regions.

Lesley explained the range of short duration courses on offer at the Cardiff Roofbase Training Centre. Ranging from a half-day to five-day courses, the training ranges from mandatory courses such as health and safety and manual handling, to UKATA, IPAF and SMSTS.

New Roof Slating and Tiling Programme

In November, Wales National Roof Training Group will be launching a new programme for Roof Slating and Tiling qualifications. She will be offering 20 days of specialist training – two days per month – for early career roofers who would like to upskill. Once completed, trainees can work for a NVQ level 2 by completing an On Site Assessment process.

Suitable for those who have some roofing experience and are currently employed in roofing firms, the new upskilling programme will help South Wales roofing contractors qualify their workforce at a convenient and feasible location.

Lesley explained: “The roofing industry was under-served here in South Wales with the nearest location for roofing training in Birmingham. Our new home at Cardiff Roofbase means we can now offer upskilling courses leading to NVQ L2. This will help WNRTG contribute to developing the productivity and quality assurance of Welsh roofing businesses and professionalise the sector.”

In addition to roofing apprenticeship training, Cardiff Roofbase is the location for short courses across all the roofing disciplines. Regular training days are offered in Lead Welding & Bossing with LSTA trainers visiting the site. Other Upskilling programmes are being developed with industry to offer Built Up Felt and Single Ply. Short Duration Liquid Roofing training has recently been CITB approved and scheduled for delivery later in the year which will lead to a NVQ 2. Lesley will be supporting training at all other Roofbase depots and developing the training offer at these locations too.

Lesley adds: “The beauty of being here is that the smaller roofing firms who are not necessarily CITB registered or aware of the training available can take the opportunity of visiting the merchant to find out more. We can help them to register for funding, advise them on a training strategy and help them upskill their workforce to deliver quality roofing services in South Wales.”

For a schedule of dates when training is being delivered, contact Lesley Hughes on 07817 641 984 or email lesley.hughes@wnrtg.co.uk or visit the new updated website.

Grasping the Opportunity

Formerly based in Caerphilly, the WNRTG relocated to Cardiff following CITB ceasing funding of the SAP NVQ 2 RST programme in anticipation that local Welsh colleges would introduce Roof Training to their new apprentice curriculum. Despite this, no apprenticeship training is currently offered in the local South Wales colleges and Welsh contractors need to travel to England to access full college frameworks.

Grasping the opportunity to add value and service to their customers, Roofbase Director Steve Lloyd welcomed the WNRTG with open arms. His vision of offering more to Roofbase customers embraces the training offer and sees the arrangement with WNRTG as mutually beneficial.

Cardiff Roofbase Manager, Phil Spencer, who brings 23 years of roofing experience to the role, said: “It’s a fantastic offer for Roofbase customers: they can come in or look at a broader range of products because they can get training in them and find out about different types of funding for training.

“People tend to stick with what they know, but that’s often because of a lack of knowledge is holding them back from installing new products. Now, with the Training Centre we can help with that. It will help our customers to deliver a wider range of even better quality work. For our customers, that means progressing their businesses and boosting their profits.”

Wales National Roof Training Group can be found at Cardiff Roofbase, Unit B1 St Catherines Park, Pengam Road, Cardiff CF24 2RZ.

>> Read more about WNRTG’s move to Roofbase in the news

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